The palace byeoljeon(別殿), the King’s non-ceremonial space, were created as a space for the king to comfortably use and for the king to do what he wanted to do. The byeoljeon housed various types of spaces and were flexible in that they could be repurposed to meet the demands of the times. Nevertheless, their characteristic as palatial building created for the King’s convenience has remained unchanged. In this study, we examine the process by which such royal spaces were created by focusing on the reconstruction of the Changdeokgung Huijeongdang during Japanese occupation period, with a view to continuity and the transformation process. The reconstruction of Huijeongdang at the time may be considered along internal and external characteristics. Internally, Huijeongdang connected the symbolism of the king’s space as the palace byeoljeon. Externally, Huijeongdang is characterized by its mixture of traditional and western style, where western style structures were housed within traditional buildings. The plans for the block of Huijeongdang also included the coexistence of traditional building, western style building, and mixture of traditional and western style building. This reflects the characteristic continuity of the byeoljeon as well as the architectural techniques of the time, manifested together within a specific spatial block.

Seongjeonggak Hall in Changdeokgung Palace, although built after the Japanese Invasion in 1592, displays the architectural style and structure of Early Joseon period. It did not include ondol (Korean floor heating system) and contained Early Joseon style window frames. Later, King Jeongjo installed ondol as he repaired the building into a more convenient office. The initial construction of Seongjeonggak Hall was based on the architectural ideology of the Early Joseon Period, which divided up the space according to the season. Thus, the initial structure of the building consisted of a joint of a one-story building and a two-story building with the top floor of the latter specialized for hot and humid season. The two-story building was called ‘chimnu(寢樓)’, and its top floor was called ‘nu-chimsil(樓寢室)’

This study is about the Changdeokgung Palace and detached palaces of architect Park Jacheong who was a representative supervisor having framed the palace architecture of the Joseon Dynasty. The results are as follows. First, Park Jacheong had been in charge of Changdeokgung Palace for 15 years since its founding. The palace was continued to run for the longest time and was the palace on the frame made by him for the years, so Changdeokgung Palace’s status has become as good as Gyeongbokgung Palace’s. Second, he built a lot of palaces besides Changdeokgung. They were completed about the same time in accordance with the political intentions of King Taejong. Park Jacheong was a former military officer and was well skilled in mobilization of manpower and materials by making good use of the military power. Third, the detached palaces constructed by him were located in the places where military training and testing of new weapons were possible. They were also used as sleeping, dining and office spaces. This can be regarded as a result of the tradition of the storied-pavilion that had been since the Goryeo Dynasty, with the method of approaching to the main hall of the palace.

Naejeon area at Chandeokgung Palace means the areas of Huijeongdang and Daejojeon area. Huijeongdang or Hall of Brilliant Rule is made for the king, and Daejojeon or Hall of Great Creation is made for the queen. These areas were located nearly and repeatedly burned down and rebuilt several times together, but their forms were largely unchanged. However in 1920, they rebuilt in a very different way. The purpose of this study was to estimate construction plans, progress and completion of Naejeon area’s rebuilding. They were reconstructed into eclectic structures as the exteriors were built using basic materials from Gyeongbokgung Palace. So they have traditional-looking appearances, but the interiors consisted of modern equipments and were built by applying foreign style construction techniques. The main floored room of Daejojeon and the area of Huijeongdang were built in standing style by installing radiators and French furnitures. Also, the porch, corridor, storage space and veranda were constructed under the influence of Japanese construction. After the reconstruction, there were changes in the usage of some spaces. Huijeongdang functioned only for Alhyeonso or audience chamber rather than Pyeonjeon or state hall. New organizations created by the Japanese such as Chansi or secretaries office and the Chief secretary’s office were included in Naejeon area.

During the Joseon Dynasty, Injeongjeon area at Changdeokgung Palace was a core space in which major state affairs took place. Since founded in 1405, the Injeongjeon area’s spatial composition has been changed while it was repeatedly burned down and rebuilt several times. However, despite many studies and researches on the Chandeokgung Palace and the Injeongjeon area, the changes of the area in the 20th century have not been examined thoroughly. This study attempts to find out the procedure and purposes of the remodeling of the Injeongjeon area in 1908. It is possible to presume that the motif of this remodeling construction, worked out by the Residency-General, was to transform the area similar to Ekkensho or Audience Hall area at Meiji Palace regarding the following facts: only Japaneses’ participation in the construction, renaming the area as Alhyunso (Ekkensho), and involvement of Ito Hirobumi . Comparing plans of the remodeled Injeongjeon area at the Chandeokgung Palace with the Ekkensho area at the Meiji Palace, we can confirm this presumption and suggest the possibility that the Residency-General wanted to reduce the majesty and power of the Joseon Dynasty’s Palace by this remodeling.