CHOSON PERIOD

TAEJO OF JOSEON
TIMBER BUILDINGS
During the Joseon period in Korea, timber
buildings were the dominant architectural style,
characterized by elegant simplicity,
harmonious proportions, and natural materials.
Timber was the primary construction material, with
wooden frames, beams, and walls made from
clay, brick, or paper. Joseon buildings blended
harmoniously with their natural surroundings,
incorporating traditional Korean aesthetics,
curved lines, intricate wooden carvings, and
subtle color schemes, reflecting Confucian ideals
of order and harmony.

“Minheulim” column columns that gradually

become narrower from the bottom to the top.
Where umiryang curvature in terms of the ratio of
the width to the length of the curve, became less
steep and weakened

Daedeulbo (a crossbeam or girder) of the largest

diameter was installed in the center

the combined height of the Toetbo and the

Umiryang is equal to the Daedeulbo.
EXAMPLES
 EARLY THE RESTRAINED AND
WEAKENED CURVATURE
THE EARLY JOSEON DYNASTY (15–16 C)

CHOSON PRESENTED RESTRAINED CURVE FORMS OF

WOODEN MEMBERS WITH FEWER MATERIALS
AND A FASTER PROCESS DUE TO NEO-
CONFUCIANISM, WHICH EMPHASIZED

STYLE
AUSTERITY.

CURVES IN ARCHITECTURAL COMPONENTS

PERIOD CAN BE DESCRIBED BY TWO TRENDS:
THE WEAKENING OF THE CURVATURE AND A
CURVE CLOSE TO A STRAIGHT LINE.
(1392–1592)
SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURE IN A TEMPLE COMPLEX, LIKELY DEDICATED TO
SAKYAMUNI BUDDHA, ALSO KNOWN AS SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA, THE
FOUNDER OF BUDDHISM.
 After tremendous social crisis and two wars, the
mid-Joseon Dynasty (17–18 C) showed creative
indigenous houses with naturally curved timbers,

MID minimizing the manufacturing process and

maximizing the pragmatic functionality of the
space under the influence of the wars and Silhak
(the Realist School of Confucianism).

CHOSON Another style involved using bent timbers taken

from nature, which preserved the naturally curved
shape selectively in the housing buildings. This is a
sustainable formal alteration of curved wooden

STYLE members, because the change makes it possible

for people of the era to effectively save
construction time and cost. The practical idea
comes from the dominant social paradigm, Neo-
Confucianism, which emphasized the austerity of
life
 LATE the late Joseon Dynasty (19–20 Centuries)
presented office buildings
strengthened dynamic shapes of the
naturally curved timbers as symbolic
with

CHOSON
expression, which is an expanded concept
beyond the functionality.

large-scale constructions were reduced

except for the palace buildings, and the

STYLE Confucian architecture built in the

province was more praised for its frugal
appearance
 TONGDAEMUN (EAST GATE)
The ancient entrances to the city of seoul, have two storey roof sturctures similar size built in the multi-cluster
bracketed style. the roof structure of the namdaemun was built in 1448 in the early choson period and that of
tongdaemun in 1869.

CH’ANGGYONGGUNG
Myongjongjon the main audience hall. The gate infront
are the oldest extant palace structures, having been
constructed in the fifteenth century.
ANCIENT PALACES
Architectural Style: Ch'anggyonggung exhibits a blend
of architectural styles prevalent during the Joseon
Dynasty. It reflects the traditional Korean architectural
style, characterized by simplicity, harmony with nature,
and adherence to Confucian principles. The palace
buildings feature elegant wooden structures with
sweeping curved roofs and intricate details.
Design and Layout: The layout of Ch'anggyonggung is
designed which emphasizes harmony between the
buildings and the surrounding landscape. The palace
complex is organized around a central axis, with the main
buildings situated along this axis. The layout is
symmetrical, with buildings arranged in a grid pattern
around courtyards and gardens.
Decorative Elements: The palace buildings are
decorated with colorful glazed tiles, intricate
woodcarvings, paintings and murals, and stone
sculptures. The roofs are adorned with intricate patterns,
while the interior walls feature scenes from Korean history,
mythology, and literature. The stone sculptures, including
ornate pagodas and mythical creatures, add to the
aesthetic and symbolic value of the site.
 CH’ANGDOKKUNG

KYUNGBOKKUNG TOKSUGUNG
STONE BUILDINGS
Due to the supression of buddhism in favour of
confucianism in the Choson period, the
number and quality stone pagodas and
stupas greatly declined. Rather than develop
a style of their own ,most choson artisan
continued to build pagodas in the ancient
traditions, However, although there are a
number of changes in the seven-storey stone
pagoda at Naksansa Temple in Yang-yang,
kang-won-do, it is typically a shiila design.

Other than pagodas and stupas, underground

ice stores were the most frequently built stone
structures of the period, though they have
survived only in the kyongsanng-do region
including kyongju, Andong, Ch’ongdo,
Ch’angnyong and Yongsan. Rectangular
stone were used to form a number of arches,
between which weight-supporting stone were
fitted to uphold the frame of the cylindrical
storage chamber. Ice cut from the rivers
winter was stored for use through the summer.
EXAMPLES
 A faithful imitation of the kyongch’on-sa pagoda of the
koryo period

Architectural Style: Won-gaksa Temple features

traditional Korean architectural styles, emphasizing
simplicity and harmony with nature. Hanok influence may
be present in ancillary structures, while other Buddhist
traditions, particularly Mahayana Buddhism, may be
incorporated, reflecting the interconnectedness of
Buddhist cultures across Asia.

Design and Layout: The main hall, Saenghwal-jeon, is the

primary worship hall, facing eastward, symbolizing
enlightenment. The temple complex includes lecture
halls, meditation halls, monks' quarters, and bell and
drum towers. The layout incorporates pathways, bridges,
and gardens to enhance tranquility and contemplation.

Decorative Elements: The pedestal supporting the

pagoda is three-tiered. The first three stories follow the
shape of the base and the next seven stories are squares.
The pagoda is richly engraved, with images of dragons,
lions, phoenixes, lotus blossoms, and religious icons
including Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and the Four Heavenly
Kings.
 Variations from the traditional styles are found in the
octagonal, five-storey pagoda

Architectural Style: Sujongsa Temple exemplifies

traditional Korean Buddhist temple architecture, which is
deeply influenced by the country's cultural and religious
history. This emphasizes simplicity, harmony with nature,
and spiritual symbolism, reflecting the Buddhist principles
of modesty and humility.

Design and Layout: The temple complex aims to create

a serene environment for meditation and worship,
featuring main buildings(central axis), ancillary structures,
and landscaped gardens, each with spiritual
significancesuch as the main hall (Daeungjeon), the
meditation hall (Seonangdang), and the pagoda
(Dabotap).

Decorative Elements: Buddhist temple known for its

intricate artworks, woodcarvings, and sculptures. These
artworks, often depicting Buddhist deities, bodhisattvas,
and mythical creatures, serve as a source of
contemplation and devotion among worshippers. Its roofs
are adorned with decorative ornaments, and the temple
is surrounded by landscaped gardens, ponds, bridges,
and lush vegetation, providing a peaceful meditation
setting.
Perhaps the most characteristics of choson is this multi storey pagoda.
Bell-shaped stupad continued during this period. Most choson stupas, with the
exception of that on the site of hoeamsa temple and devoid of notable
sculptured ornament. Stone railing at its base, lotus, arabesques and floral
patterns ornatelyn sculptured on its pedestal, and a dragon and cloud pattern
on its bell-shaped main body.