This study traces the origin and development of 8-cheok as a standard spatial unit in Korean architecture by examining historical texts. Rooted in ancient Chinese body-based measurement systems, 8-cheok originally represented the average human height. Although its direct anthropometric basis faded over time as measurement units lengthened, 8-cheok remained prominent in both literary and architectural contexts. The palcheok-bang (eight-cheok house), first mentioned in the Samguk Yusa , symbolized a hermit’s dwelling and retained its symbolic meaning throughout the Goryeo period. In the Joseon era, influenced by Neo-Confucian values of restraint and humility, the palcheok-kan (eight-cheok module) emerged as a spatial standard reflecting the moral ideals of the Confucian elite. However, the palcheok-kan competed with other modular units. During the construction of the Seoul city walls, a conversion of 10 cheok per kan was used, while land surveys in the city sometimes adopted 7 cheok per kan . From the 17th century onward, however, the 8-cheok -per-kan conversion gradually gained dominance and became the representative unit. Despite its widespread use, the palcheok-kan was never formally codified by law and remained a customary standard until it disappeared during modern measurement reforms.

ABSTRACT
1. 서 론
2. 고대 문헌에서 8척 규모의 인식
    2-1. 8척과 인체 치수
    2-2. 고대 척도의 정비
3. 한국 문헌에서 팔척의 용례
    3-1. 팔척방의 흐름
    3-2. 유교 문화와 팔척 공간의 실험
4. 팔척간의 완성
    4-1. 길이 단위로서 팔척간의 운용
    4-2. 면적 단위 팔척간의 성립
5. 결 론
참고문헌

• 이강민(한국예술종합학교 건축과 부교수, 공학박사) | Lee Kangmin (Department of Architecture, Korea National University of Arts. 146-37, Hwarang-ro 32-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea) Corresponding author