Korean Architecture in Different Era

Ancient Architecture

Neolithic remains are relatively abundant in Korea and some remains can be traced back to the fifth millennium B, C. In the development of ancient Korean architecture, it can be said that the building technique of houses evolved from a pit dwelling to that of a earthen wall with thatched roof, to that of a log cabin construction, and finally, to a raised floor construction The remains of the building sites and royal tombs are located in the capital of Paekche and in its vicinity. The shapes of bricks and roof tiles that have been discovered at these sites give us more than a glimpse of the taste and refinement of the period.

United Silla Architecture

After the unification of the Korean peninsula into the kingdom of United Silla, Korean institutions were radically transformed. Architecture flourished in the royal capital of Kyongju. The city was with nearly a million inhabitants, strategically located at the junction of two rivers and three mountains encircling a fertile basin of about five by seven miles in area.

One of the Palace sites is marked by the artificial lake of Annap with stone works of retaining walls delineating the former building location. The residential district of the nobles in the city was composed of great houses which were constructed conforming to the building code that granted privileges to the nobles, but forbidden to the commoners. Tiles from many ruins of the buildings were found everywhere. Of those that are still intact, show elegant and graceful design.

Koryo Architecture

Following the cultural tradition of United Silla, the art and architecture of Koryo was developed under fruitful ties with the contemporary culture of the Sung and the Liao in China. As the capital city of Songdo was established in the mountainous area of central Korea, natural landscape requirements led to the no axial arrangement of the built-up area in the entire city. The palace and temples in Songdo clustered along the flanks of Mt. Songak and the city were enclosed by a meandering irregular city wall. Geomancy was the leading principle in selecting the location of towns and building sites during Koryo era. According to this method, terrain and landscape were interpreted to secure prosperous we11-being for the present and future. The architects did not attempt to overcome natural landscape but rather, respect the existing physical environment in their architectural design and town planning.

The palace at Manwol Terrace was laid out according to the north-south axis, and because of the terrain series of courts were connected from one level to the next by flights of stone steps. The Palace attracted considerable attention for its size, elegance, and beauty during the period, but was later burnt down by foreign invasions. The platforms, flights of steps and foundations can still be seen on the empty site.

Choson Architecture

The Choson Dynasty was founded by an ambitious general, Yi-Songge, in 1392, and continued until 1910, The history of Choson architecture would be described in three periods of the early, the middle, and the late period, in accordance with the cultrural and architectural development.

From the beginning of the middle period, national resources were exhausted due to the Japanese invasions which started from l592 and continued for seven years. In the later period, which began with the reign of King Yongjo, the cultural revival of the dynasty began in 1725 by the influence of western concepts which came into Korea through the Jesuits. The new "Real Learning" (Sil-hak) party, which was based on scientific and inductive approach, flourished in the country. The desire for creation and innovation was in the air. Koreans were becoming conscious of themselves and their own culture, and were ready to express their ideas and values. In this period, building methods of the inter-columnar bracket set system were developed further by manifesting peculiar features and expressing their own forms, thus providing a unique distinction from Chinese and Japanese architecture.