Hanok is the traditional architecture style of Korea. The word hanokembraces all types of traditional architecture including thatched-roof, shingle-roofed and tile-roofed houses. However, these days, the term Hanok is generally understood to mean only the tile-roofed house. While the thatched-roof houses made of straw or shingle-roofed houses have nearly disappeared, the tiled roof Hanok can still be found throughout the country. There are many tiled roof houses which are being maintained as cultural heritages but many are also still private residences.
The Korean style Hanok house is not only the tradition of the past but also an effective architectural style in modern times. The attractiveness of Korean Hanok can be summarized in two points. The first is its scientific excellence, represented most by a unique heating system called the “ondol”. Ondol helps residents endure the cold of winter by heating the floors of the home. The word ondol literally means 'warming the stone And is registered in the Oxford dictionary. ' When heat coming fom the fire in the kitchen is connected to the other rooms, the layer of stone in the floor of thetarget room becomes heated. The warm air at floor level rises, keeping the temperature of the whole room comfortable.
Koreans built their homes in accordance to geomancy. Houses were positioned after considering the distance and direction in line with mountains and fields as well as the location of water. The direction and structure of the position of the house were decided by this principle. The theory of geomancy is not just a simple superstition. Koreans regard a house built against the background of a mountain and facing the south as being in the most ideal location and certain points have to be taken into consideration when constructing a residential structure, such as limiting the effects of wind off the mountain, adequate ventilation and exposure to sunlight. When considering these points, the hanok is a very practical residential form.
The true beauty of the Hanok is not only skin deep. The true aesthetics of the Korean style house are experienced when viewed from the inside of the house. The outside view varies the view from the inside looking out and these aesthetics of space cannot be experienced without fully exploring the hanok.
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