For earthquake loss estimation of building structures in Gangnam-Gu district in Seoul, three scenario earthquakes were selected by comparison of the response spectra of these scenario earthquakes with the design spectrum in Korean Building Code (KBC 2009), and then direct losses of the building structures in the Gangnam-Gu district under each scenario earthquake are estimated. The following conclusions are drawn from the results of damage and loss in the second scenario earthquake, which has a magnitude = 6.5 and epicentral distance =15 km: (1) The ratio of building stocks undergoing the extensive and complete damage level is 40.0% of the total. (2) The amount of direct economic losses appears approximately 19 trillion won, which is 1.2% of the national GDP of Korea. (3) About 25% of high-rise (over 10-story) RC building wall structures, were inflicted with the damage exceeding moderate level, when compared to 60% of low-rise building structures. (4) From the economical view point, the main loss, approximately 50%, was caused by the damage in the high-rise RC wall building structures.

The Korean architect Chung Guyon(1945∼2011) is the translator of the Korean edition of Gourna: A Tale of Two Villages(1969) written by the Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy(1900∼89). This fact, along with the facts that Chung changed the topic of his graduation thesis(1983) for UPA no.6 in Paris and that he became a supporter of earth architecture after he returned to Korea in 1986, confirms that Chung was strongly influenced by Fathy’s architecture in Gourna project. Therefore, the present paper aims at extracting didactic characteristics of Fathy’s architecture from the book and comparing them with those of Chung’s architecture. The categories of the characteristics extracted from the book (or his architectural activities in the Gourna project) are: clay/earth architecture; communicative and cooperative architecture; and critical stance towards society, and these are commonly found in Chung’s architecture, too, not without differences from Fathy’s owing to the gap between the two architects’ contexts. Reviewing these characteristics, this paper argues that Fathy and Chung tried to improve society in each context, working as both architect and social activist.

Since the recent Hanok boom in Korea, Contemporary Hanok has been evolving in terms of structure, space, form, etc. To get a comprehensive understanding of the diversified Contemporary Hanok, this paper aims at its type classification by analyzing architects’ designs since 2000. The criteria for the classification are two: (1) renovation [Re] or new construction [New]; and (2) degree of Contemporary Hanok’s deviation from the traditional Hanok’s standard ― maintaining the traditional form [Main]; changing space within the traditional form [Space]; changing the traditional frame [Frame]; and juxtaposing the traditional and the modern [Combi]. From the two criteria, this paper deduced eight types of Contemporary Hanok, named respectively: Re-Main, New-Main, Re-Space, New-Space, Re-Frame, New-Frame, Re-Combi, and New-Combi, and studied their cases. It can be argued that various aspects of Contemporary Hanok and their critical meanings were well-investigated through this type classification and case-studies.

The color that painted on the ground of Dancheong becomes Gachil(basecoat)-Dancheong and underpainting of Moro-Dancheong or Geum-Dancheong. So, the color of underpainting is the most important element that determines impression of the building. Thus, the architecture after using “Sangrokhadan” has different characters from what it had been. In the existing perception toward the background color of Dancheong, it was considered the characters of Korean Dancheong so-called “Sangrokhadan” that paint vertical elements like columns red and upper part of the columns green. But this study examined the color of Dancheong according to the era and region before and after Goryeo Dynasty era, then it reveals that Sangrokhadan technique was applied from the 14th century in the late Goryeo Dynasty. One of the Goryeo architecture, Geungnakjeon Hall of Bongjeongsa Temple is thought to be a previous style that is not applied “Sangrokhadan” technique because old elements are painted red pigment.

The architectural influence from the Yuan had impact on the Goryeo Dynasty in earnest during Yuan intervention period in the 14th century. The representative examples which were influenced by the Yuan architecture are the Eungjinjeon in Seongbulsa(成佛寺) temple, the ten-story stone pagoda of Gyeoncheonsa(敬天寺) temple site, the Bogwangjeon in Simwonsa(心源寺) temple, the Hoeamsa(檜巖寺) temple and so on. Notwithstanding the changes of relationship between two countries, it can be comprehended that there was a selective acceptance of the Yuan architectural peculiarities in Goryeo Dynasty. It means that the adoption of foreign culture in Korea has not been inevitable from the unilateral demand, but been autonomous by perceiving as the advanced culture. This tendency was maintained even though the government had been changed.

Geum’yeok-dang house in Andong was originally constructed in 1558. The original floor plan of the upper base featured a 90-degree tilted ‘日’ shape, and had inner court(內庭) on each side of ‘Jungdang(中堂, center hall)’ building that was placed on the south-north axis. When designing the building, the Neo-Confucian client of Geum’yeok-dang applied his understanding of how Ga’rye(家禮) defined the structure of ritual space. Consequently, ‘Daecheong(大廳)’, the place where guests were greeted and ancestral rites and coming of age ceremonies for male were held, was built in a protruding fashion. ‘Jungdang’[otherwise known as ‘Jeongchim(正寢)’], where coming of age ceremonies for females were held, the master of the house faced death, and memorials for close ancestors were held, was placed at the center of the residence on the south-north axis. The Geum’yeok-dang today was greatly renovated in the early and mid 18th century, due to the spread of ‘Ondol’ heating system. As the Ondol heating system became popular, the pre-existing drawbacks and the inconvenience of the house stood out clearly. As a result, the house was renovated into today’s structure consisting of ‘口’ shape ‘Anchae’ and ‘Daecheongchae’ in separate building.

This study is based on the 15th century’s architecture Mohwagwan and Taepyeonggwan and the architects behind it. The results were as follows: First, inline with Ming dynasty’s protocol, the King of Joseon marched with honor guard in front of his people. Therefore, the Joseon dynasty needed to match space was implemented and result in Mohwagwan and Taepyeonggwan. Second, King Taejong founded Mohwaru to share the role with Taepyeonggwan. He appropriately utilized Mohwaru as a place in manners before people enter the Seoul city wall. And He organized this architecture on the level of the palace. Third, Pak Jacheong was overseer the whole constructive process, from the selection of site, landscaping, construction, maintenance to civil engineering of Mohwaru. There are many difficulties, but he completed through the construction work owing to the protection of King Taejong. Forth, Hong Li worked with Pak Jacheong to build Taepyeonggwan and Mohwagwan from Taejong to Sejong. Supervisors in King Sejong times were required not only private capability but also understanding the Confucianism ritual. Hong Li was faithfully performed the role. Fifth, Sejong was recognized only an excellent ruler but he was also a great coordinator with a professional knowledge about architecture. These Sejong’s action fully can be seen as an architect.