Seoul City Certifies '2020 Seoul Excellent Hanok'... 12 Sites Including Gye-dong Cheongwonsanbang

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] The Seoul Metropolitan Government has certified 12 sites as '2020 Seoul Excellent Hanok.' The main sites include Gye-dong Cheongwonsanbang, Pyeongchang-dong Pyeongsanjae, Gyeongun-dong Sieunjae, Gahoe-dong Hanok 1 & 2, Eunpyeong Hanok Village Damseojae, Eunpyeong Hanok Village Samnakjae, Tongui-dong Taejuheon, Gye-dong Eunjon-dang, Chebu-dong Hanok 1 & 2, and Ok-in-dong Nanhojae.

On the 29th, Seoul announced that it had completed the 5th Seoul Excellent Hanok certification review and certified 12 locations as '2020 Seoul Excellent Hanok.' The 'Seoul Excellent Hanok Certification System' has been implemented annually since 2016 to inherit and develop the unique value of Seoul Hanok, create an excellent Hanok architectural environment, and contribute to the popularization of Hanok.

The Seoul Excellent Hanok, selected through document review, on-site inspection, and final evaluation by a separately formed panel of Hanok experts, includes 10 sites in Jongno-gu and 2 sites in Eunpyeong Hanok Village. They were evaluated as showing the appearance of Hanok that preserves traditional features as everyday living spaces while evolving and developing.

Chairman of the judging panel, Goh Joo-hwan (President of the Cultural Heritage Repair Technicians Association), commented, "Seoul Excellent Hanok features traditional Hanok details in external frame structures and windows, and possesses the wisdom to create and utilize appropriate courtyards. Through the certification process, it contributes to the expansion, quality assurance, and development of traditional Hanok."

Gye-dong Cheongwonsanbang was praised for 'the typical Bukchon Hanok appearance within an urban Hanok, showcasing various wooden lattice designs and traditional courtyard spaces,' and Pyeongchang-dong Pyeongsanjae was recognized as 'a good example of 1950s Seoul Hanok, with the exterior form and especially the rear garden standing out.' Gyeongun-dong Sieunjae was noted for 'its historical value as a well-preserved Joseon Hanok of a typical noble family near the palace,' Tongui-dong Taejuheon was praised for 'overcoming narrow site conditions and embodying Hanok sentiment through organic spatial connectivity and standardized components,' and Eunpyeong Hanok Village Damseojae was commended for 'its intricately constructed wooden structure and the atmosphere of Hanok both inside and out.'

Seoul awards certificates and certification marks to the selected Seoul Excellent Hanok sites and conducts annual regular inspections by Hanok experts. If necessary, the city directly carries out small-scale repairs (up to 3.5 million KRW per year). Additionally, Seoul plans to promote excellent Hanok architectural cases through photo book production and provide information about the participating Hanok architects and builders involved in design and construction to promote Hanok and its participants.

Ryu Hoon, Director of Seoul's Urban Regeneration Office, said, "Through the Seoul Excellent Hanok certification, good examples of Hanok architecture are continuously discovered and widely publicized. In the COVID-19 era, where people spend more time at home, Hanok, with its strengths as a healing space, is expected to be widely recognized worldwide as a K-residential style."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.