The Formation of a Typical Model of Urban Hanok seen through the Cases of Bukchon Hanok’s Basement

This study examines the transformation of Bukchon Hanok basements from the 1930s urban Hanok period to the 2010s, shedding light on their role in shaping the architectural and typical hanok model. The research entailed analyzing period-specific architectural features and the typical hanok model through a combination of document research, site surveys, and interviews conducted with owners of 90 Bukchon hanoks equipped with basements. The results revealed that, since their inception in the 1930s, most Bukchon Hanoks featured small basements resembling wood or brick warehouses, separate from the main hanok structure. In the 2000s, a notable shift occurred as new hanoks integrated basements, constructed as reinforced concrete structures with residential and parking functions, connected through vertical circulation. This study highlights the significance of the 2010 Bukchon District Unit Plan in acknowledging the emergence of basement usage in Bukchon Hanoks since the 2000s and in shaping a typical hanok model that outlines the form and appearance of hanok as a policy.