A Study of the Ecological Perspectives in Traditional Korean Homes

The purpose of this study is to reveal the kind of traditional perspectives we can use from the past to create a sustainable society for the future and to contribute to the growing interest in, and concern for, environmentally-sound designs. Such perspectives include ways to sustain naturalistic aesthetic views, elements of architectural design, and ideas for traditional lifestyles. Architecture that used these methods would contribute to a more ecologically sensitive view of man's place within the natural environment. This research was conducted by way of literature reviews; the objects of study were physically extant traditional housing, the composition of the traditional village, and traditional lifestyles. The results of this study indicate that the ecological characteristics of traditional Korean homes originated from a holistic conception of society and nature; this holistic conception has been found lacking in our more modern, western influenced homes. In the past, in order to leave an unpolluted or even healthier natural environment to descendents, it was essential to apply ecological principles. Villages harmonized with nature and houses were designed to utilize sunlight and wind. Their natural construction promoted consciousness of human beings and their symbiotic relationship with nature.