This study explains details on Heungbokjeon during the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in the 19th century for the first time in 273 years. Hence, the construction of a palace with more than 7,000 Kan(間) made possible in a short stretch of time. Given the fact that its existing architecture was recycled. The antecedent of Heungbokjeon(興福殿) was the Hamiljae(咸一齋) of Changuiggung(彰義宮) which served as the residence of King Yeongjo before he was enthroned. On the other hand, the Changuigung was the outset of Inpyeongwi-gung(寅平尉 宮), which was built for the princesses. During the reign of King Hyojong the princess who got married must depart from the Inpyeongwi-gung. This study corroborated the undertaking of modification of its architecture from being asymmetrical house to symmetrical most primarily the inner part of the palace through the innovation of Changui-gung and the restoration of Hamijae to Heungbokjeon. Hence, it was confirmed that the Heungbokjeon was the only inner part of the palace that was not burned down by the 2 consecutive fires during the reign of King Gojong, to be more specific these fire happend on his 10th and 13th year of rule. Consequently, the research process of Gyeongbokgung Heungbokjeon can escalate the possibility of considering not only the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung in the 19th century, as well as the construction of the capital city in the 17th century.
The Gyeongbok Palace was completed during the reign of King Taejo and King Sejong in the early Joseon Dynasty. The most remarkable spacious feature of the palace is that it has an inner palace wall without an outer palace wall. The absence of the outer palace wall had its origin in the palace of the late Goryeo Dynasty which did not provide the outer palace wall. Gwanghwamoon was the main gate of the palace, and the office buildings of the Six Ministries were arranged on the right side in front of the main gate. A wide road called Six Ministries Avenue was made between the builidings. The avenue was completed during the reign of the third king of Joseon, Taejong, and it was assumed that this arrangement was influenced by the government office arrangements of Nanjing, the early capital city of the Ming Dynasty. Gwanghwamoon held national rituals as well as the civic and military state examinations nations in front of the gate. The avenue was decorated with flowers and silks when kings and the royal families, or Chinese envoys enter the gate, and the civilians watched the parade, Because there was no outer palace wall, all the events held at Gwanghwamoon and the Six Ministries Avenue ware opened to the public, it was the unique feature of Gyeongbok Palace that the palaces of Goryeo dynasty and China did not have.
This study examines the joint and splice of wooden structure at Geunjeongjeon Hall of Gyengbok Palace, which was constructed in the late Joseon Dynasty. The scope of the study is on the part of columns, the bracket sets, and the frame structure. This research also deals with the relationship between vortical load and horizontal load. Firstly, the examination of the joint and splice methods between the pillar and penetrating ties is on the joint and splice methods of the outer and corner. Through the investigation, it is verified that the joint methods between pillar and penetrating tie on the outer and corner pillars is the method of Sagal joints(cross joints, 사개맞춤). Joints used between pillar and penetrating tie are dovetailed tenon joints, between columns and Anchogong(안초공), between columns and Choikgong(초익공) are tenon joint(장부맞춤). Secondly, the examination of the joint and splice methods of the bracket set is on that of Salmi and Cheomcha(첨차), and Salmi and Janghyeo(장혀). Joints used between Salmi and Cheomcha, Salmi and Janghyeo are halved joint, and between each Janghyeo are stepped dovetailed splice. It is Cheomcha that is used the Jujang-Cheomcha(주장첨차) on center line. Therefore it is connected with each bracket set, which gets to is the strong system, easy and convenient on the construction of that. Thirdly, the frame structure of wooden architecture in royal palace is consist of purlins and beams, Janghyeo(장혀, timber under purlin), tall columns, king posts, etc. Through the investigation, it is verified that the joint and splice methods between purlins and beams are used with the methods of Sungeoteok joint(숭어턱맞춤). It is verified that the joint and splice methods between beams and high columns are used with methods of mortise and tenon joint(장부맞춤), is highly related with tensile force. To reduce the separation of parts, sangi(산지) and tishoi(띠쇠) are used as a counterproposal, which were generally used for architecture in royal Palaces in the late Joseon Dynasty and continued to be used until these days common wooden architecture.