Extraction of spatial genetic characteristics and analysis of 1930s Korean Urban Hanok based on application of space syntax

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of an Urban Hanok (improved Korean traditional housing), created in the process of Seoul’s urbanization since the 1930s as anew housing type from traditional Hanoks, using aspace syntax methodology to uncover the underlying genotype. The genotype of the Urban Hanok plan layout, originating from the urban residential areas organized in the 1930s, was analyzed and compared. The results indicate that the Madang-centered organization is the underlying spatial structure of the 1930s Urban Hanok. Diachronic examination of the sample in terms of sectoral differentiation has identified three groups: (a) the house organized with three central spaces (Madang– Daecheong– Deamungan or stairs), (b) the house organized with three central spaces (Madang– Mediation Space– Daecheong), and (c) the house organized with two central spaces (Madang– Sarang Madang). When converted to aJustified graph, group (a) is classified into aTree-Shape, and an Umbrella-Shape, group (b) is classified into an extended Tree-Shape, and group (c) is classified into aRing-Shape. Characteristics of the spatial structure in the Urban Hanok layout and their meanings were identified through this research. The implication of the Madang-centered layout type, most common in Urban Hanoks.

Keywords

• space syntax
• spatial configuration
• urban hanok
• spatial genotype