Korean House, Hanok

Hanok is an architectural term describing Korean traditional houses, also referred as Chosun houses. Hanok is typically located with mountain in back, facing the water and north in direction. 



Each Hanok is distinguishable in various features, built according to regional environments—such as distance and direction of wind, water, land and mountains—and to meet its personal and distinctive objective and interest of the owner. 



Traditional architectures in Korea has evolved throughout dynasties; hanoks from Chosun Dynasty has remained most popular.



Myeongjae hanok is an exceptional example of a high class hanok from Chosun Dynasty, well preserved to current date. 

Baesanimsu literally translates as mountain in the back and river in front for an ideal position for a house to be built on. These geographic locations based on such specific principle has actually been proved advantageous; wind-proofed from northwestern winter winds and having easy access to water. 

The First Host



YUN Jeung (1629~1714) is a renowned scholar, politician, and theorist with great depth of study and virtue. He was not a government official but worked as a political reformer with SONG Si Yeol, as Chosun's greatest thinker and advocate.



Also, YUN remains historically significant as the only person to achieve three excellencies without being appointed by the King. 

Myeonjae hanok is not grand in size or lavishly decorated, but is an exemplary high-class hank residence that is well preserved. The structure of Myeongjae is based on scientific theories and humanistic balance.



Myeongjae is divided into three areas, the center Anchae, the front Sarangchae, and Sadang in the back. Smaller units of houses and rooms construct the complete the hanok complex. Myeongjae hanok is notable for the human scale applied to its measures to bring comforts. 

Hanok is composed of two basic elements: wooden structure and Giwa, soil baked roof tile. Also, ondol and maru were specifically designed to respectably warm the winter and cool the summer. 



Ondol—heated rock system—heats the floor and rooms thoroughly during cold winters, and maru keeps the house cool during hot summer days.   

Sarangchae is where the family's disposition is constituted, for it was occupied by male members of the family. The son was taught directly by the father, of beliefs and law, living, studying, and receiving guests together.

Anchae is the most private and restricted section of the house, protected by the inner gate. Landlady, wives, daughters cared children in Anchae and conducted everyday family life. Most family events were held within Anchae as well.

Daechung maru is composed of six units and in perfect symmetry, subtly blending to the landscape. The courtyard is deposits of red clay. The temperature rises easily from direct sunlight charged in wide, flat surface, but windows open paths for cooler air to pass and create circulation of air, thus lowering temperature.

Anchae and storeroom has greater distance from the south, but the draws in closer towards the north. This is not a miscalculation but a sign of scientific wisdom. 

The uneven closeness of two buildings are convenient in many aspects: both safe from raindrops falling into Anchae's columns and platforms, the amount of sun and heat is controlled precisely, and by the proven theory of Bernouli's equation, winter's northwestern wind is stopped by narrow passage and summer's southwestern wind is directed toward Anchae, cooling the building. 



Myeongjae demonstrates not only great architectural composition but also is an ideal hanok in representing scientific wisdom. 

The inner courtyard is heated from the sun, creating warm air rises and collides with cooler air from behind daechung maru. The radiation creates natural circulation of air, helping to control extreme temperatures. 

The eaves are scientifically measured at a specific angle to control the amount of light reflected from the yard during summer and winter solstice. 

Ondol is an archaic way of heating in Korea. Agunge is traditional fireplace; a direct source of fire allows heat to travel through passages underneath the floor, heating floors and rooms evenly. It is established upon the convection current theory.

This traditional floor heating system was popular among all members of social class, practicing good health by keeping the head cool and feet warm. 

Water is one of the most essential material of all lives. Water well has preeminent significance in an agricultural society, a sacred place for the whole neighborhood. The well is usually the first thing you see entering the neighborhood, a post for surveillance and protection. It was also served as a public space for social and cultural interactions.

Water drifts from the mountain behind the house, and is stored as a pond to be released for agricultural use.

Myeongjae hanok posesses legacy of 300 years but still remains in its original statue, cared by generations of Yoon family.