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Hanok: The Korean House
Appreciate the understated glamour and traditional comfort in this collection of the most excellent examples of timeless Korean architecture.
The Korean House provides new insights on the stylish traditional Korean homes that are experiencing a resurgence of popularity in Seoul today. While the exteriors of these houses are indistinguishable from traditional hanok built decades ago, the insides have entirely changed and adapted with the times. Korea is a nation that has radically transformed itself in recent decades, yet amidst the glass-and-steel skyscrapers and luxury apartments, the Korean design of the hanok still survives and plays a surprisingly important role. This book showcases 12 very special hanok that have been selected to reflect the Korea of today.
The original hanok design has not changed. Traditional craftsman-made materials of stone, wood, and clay are still the only components used in these houses. They also incorporate natural elements such as wind and sunlight, and baesanimsu (better known in its Chinese form as feng shui) is used to position the hanok in harmony with the natural forces and geographical features of the site. Each hanok has a unique story to tell, and this book studies the personality of each house from the point of view of its owners, many of whom are talented devotees of Korean architecture themselves.
Each of the Korean homes in The Korean House was thoughtfully researched and photographed with the intention of giving the reader a feel for a culture reconciling its modern tendencies with its traditional roots.
The Korean House provides new insights on the stylish traditional Korean homes that are experiencing a resurgence of popularity in Seoul today. While the exteriors of these houses are indistinguishable from traditional hanok built decades ago, the insides have entirely changed and adapted with the times. Korea is a nation that has radically transformed itself in recent decades, yet amidst the glass-and-steel skyscrapers and luxury apartments, the Korean design of the hanok still survives and plays a surprisingly important role. This book showcases 12 very special hanok that have been selected to reflect the Korea of today.
The original hanok design has not changed. Traditional craftsman-made materials of stone, wood, and clay are still the only components used in these houses. They also incorporate natural elements such as wind and sunlight, and baesanimsu (better known in its Chinese form as feng shui) is used to position the hanok in harmony with the natural forces and geographical features of the site. Each hanok has a unique story to tell, and this book studies the personality of each house from the point of view of its owners, many of whom are talented devotees of Korean architecture themselves.
Each of the Korean homes in The Korean House was thoughtfully researched and photographed with the intention of giving the reader a feel for a culture reconciling its modern tendencies with its traditional roots.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published April 14, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 29, 2019
First observation is that Hanok house follows the exact architecture of a ancient Greek house, with mid garden, roofings with impressive endings but made out of wood and to an asthetic perfection. Inside you won't find furniture's like those in West countries, looks like that those who mixed with Neatherdals are bigger in size and need bigger furniture, those who mixed with Devisona are bit smaller and therefore you can sit easier at floor. Similar to what we had under ottoman rule, precisely the interior of a house at Ioannina. But the one that shows that some westerner teaches them the skill is the Meander symbol, that comes from.the same river that you find in Greece. Is Korean style better from the Scandinavian simplicity? It's the same but for different weather and body sizes. But that love of gardens is more in them than in the North of Europe...
June 16, 2015
"Hanok: The Korean House" is the first book I've come across that is solely dedicated to showing the true beauty and meaning of hanok to its readers and the world. While hanok homes are an integral and significant part of Korea's history and its current architectural landscape, the daily functions and living styles are still very unknown to most Koreans and foreigners alike. "Hanok: The Korean House" allows its readers to step inside hanok homes for the very first time and experience the mystery behind the hanok walls and doors. I found that this book offered a rare chance for readers to be invited into 12 beautifully well-preserved private residences that are still lived in today and to see how they have transformed, while remaining true to tradition, against time and our rapidly changing world.
May 29, 2015
This book should be subtitled the modern Korean house since most of the examples were built or heavily remodeled in the last 10 years or so. I don't know much about traditional Korean homes and I was hoping for more than just another style book. Still it has nice photos, most of them are not extravagantly huge and looked lived in so you may pick up some pointers.
March 23, 2017
A beautiful book that talks about a revival in traditional Korean house design. The author features houses, mostly around Seoul, that have renovated since the 1990's. I love the use of natural materials and elegant design. Nowadays, it seems like everyone is living in ugly apartment buildings. So it is nice to see people preserving traditional architecture.
October 1, 2015
Beautiful, simple, HANOK:THE KOREAN HOUSE focuses on traditional-styled houses in a contemporary setting. Ranging from the minimalist to the cross-culturally complex, the homes presented are prime examples of the fusion between past and present, Eastern and Western culture alike.
September 7, 2016
Beautiful photos of peaceful living areas in traditional Korean houses.
August 14, 2015
One caveat: the title of the book is slightly misleading, as it mainly covers only city Hanok (to be more specific, Hanok built in Seoul in only a couple of neighborhoods), and the Hanok that have been chosen to be featured here are all either recently built or recently renovated/remodelled/redesigned. Many of them have modern and/or western-style features to them, so it would be hard to say they are completely Korean or authentically traditional, yet still they are all fascinating examples of architecture and the photos make you drool (if houses can make one do that!). I wish I could live in all of these amazing places. This book is probably the closest that most of us will ever get to that.
August 31, 2015
An excellent book filled with interesting words and beautiful pictures. If you are interested in Hanoks then this book will excite you. This book would also be helpful to designers and architects that are curious about Korean architecture.
August 19, 2023
Hanok: The Korean House was a beautifully presented book filled with wonderful photos in a pleasing layout. The introduction to the history of hanoks in central Seoul was interesting and added an extra layer of meaning to the book. The only thing I might have liked to have seen included was slightly more material explaining different features and their traditional manner of construction. That would have raised my score to five stars. As it is, I am giving four stars for this read. Worth a look if you are interested in Korean culture.
July 13, 2024
Beautiful book with informative narration. Now I want to read more Tuttle Books
December 10, 2019
I enjoyed the book and thought it had some great photos of modern homes in the traditional style. I'm a novice on Korean architecture and would have appreciated some more detail on how the homes are constructed and how the style developed. I know modern heated floors use water, but that pre-modern Onndol used hot air from the kitchen fireplace and I don't quite understand how that worked without being smoky or causing fires.
An overhead view describing the typical Hanok layout would also have been helpful. There are a few overhead photos, but they aren't well described and I have only a general idea of how a Hanok is organized.
An overhead view describing the typical Hanok layout would also have been helpful. There are a few overhead photos, but they aren't well described and I have only a general idea of how a Hanok is organized.
August 1, 2021
This is so cool. I LOVE the hanok; it’s just one of the most beautiful home styles I’ve ever seen. I really wanted to learn more about it and see more photos after noticing it in travel guides, and this was perfect! There were many different vibes in the interiors and even the exteriors, though that varied less. Anyone that’s interested in home design or interior decorating would enjoy these photos at the very least, but it’s hard not to be fascinated with the origins and architecture of the hanok as well.
October 1, 2021
Having seen hanok houses from the outside at Jeonju Hanok Village, this book gives me more of an insight into the interiors, and makes me want to go back to visit Korea to see more.
In essence a 'coffee table book', it has lots of wonderful photos, but with short snippets to describe the different elements and styles of each of the 12 hanok pictured. A major theme is the blending of modern and traditional features and how each home reflects the owner's tastes.
Recommended for people who love history, architecture, and/or Korean culture, or want an introduction to hanok houses.
In essence a 'coffee table book', it has lots of wonderful photos, but with short snippets to describe the different elements and styles of each of the 12 hanok pictured. A major theme is the blending of modern and traditional features and how each home reflects the owner's tastes.
Recommended for people who love history, architecture, and/or Korean culture, or want an introduction to hanok houses.
June 20, 2025
Really beautiful book showcasing the intricate, elegant nature of Korean design and how it can integrate so smoothly with Western design. I was wowed by the photos, insanely detailed woodwork and the honor imbued in the way these homeowners (often architects or designers) incorporate Korean art and architecture in their modern homes
May 18, 2021
I really enjoyed learning about Korean history at the beginning of the book. The descriptions of the houses would have been better without the exposition and opinions of the author. I would have liked it to be more straightforward.
April 26, 2018
This book is so beautiful! I love the play of modern design on these beautiful historic spaces.
May 20, 2018
This was a delight to read and go through. The photos are gorgeous, the text is informative. It is now on my to-buy list.
November 3, 2019
Beautiful pictures. Great text too. Learned a lot and will visit Hanok with a more subtle look from now on.
October 13, 2021
Beautiful book!
July 21, 2022
The book filled with history of Hanok itself also description of each Hanok type completed with beautiful picture captured by the photographer.
September 8, 2024
Beautiful homes.
October 14, 2024
A really fascinating look into hanok! I'm poorly educated in all things architecture-related, but I found this very accessible. The pictures were also beautiful.
May 30, 2016
Beautiful photography of Korean traditional arts, housing, gardens, furniture, textiles. It makes me want to travel there.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews