Recognizing that the debate on the original form of the Seokguram Grotto is closely related to the mythologization of the Seokguram Grotto, which is far from factual understanding, this paper is prepared to restore the Seokguram Grotto based on scientific facts. To this end, we will first analyze its active meaning and fiction from three directions: the founding legend, the rediscovery story, and the concept and discourse of the Line of sight for Buddha statue (對佛像視準線), which have contributed to the mythologization of the Seokguram Grotto. The original restoration of the Seokguram Grotto should be based on a scientific understanding of the Seokguram space. However, past debates and restoration attempts have been based on imagination and not on scientific knowledge. Therefore, Chapter 3 attempts a scientific analysis of the light environment of thr Seokguram Grotto and critically examines the existing errors and realistic mythological images to correct the public's spatial perception of Seokguram's architecture and to propose a rational restoration of Seokguram's architectural space.

This article focuses on the Namdaemum repair and the Seokguram restoration, which had begun in 1961, as an important repair conducted during the time of seeking the conservation principle of architectural heritage after liberation in Korea. Through the analysis of the principles described in the repair report issued after the two repairs, meeting records, and related expert announcements, it is shown that the principle of 'preservation of the historic state' had been established at Namdaemun repair and later have changed to the principle of 'restoration of the historic form' which means reconstruction in Seokguram restoration. By analyzing the minutes of the Cultural Heritage Committee's meeting on the repair of other cultural properties during this period, it is revealed that the key terms related to the preservation principle, 'historic form' and 'restoration', were given meaning as 'object' and 'method' of preservation, and then 'restoration of the historic form' has been gradually used as a conservation principle.

This study examines the Gyeongju Seokguram Grotto restoration project (1961-1962) by architect Kim Chung Up (1922-1988) and introduces the documents he wrote at the time of planning. The study highlights Kim’s Plan attempt to adopt Buckminster Fuller’s idea of the Geodesic Dome, while inheriting the architect Pai Ki Hyung’s previous design plan which was nullified. As Seokguram Grotto’s water leak and deterioration issues have been brought up, the four-times survey was carried out by experts team between 1958 and 1960, under Ministry of Education’s direction. Pai designed an initial restoration plan based on the survey’s result, which was a double-dome structure with a concrete film on the outer periphery as a way to protect Seokguram Grotto in January 1961. However, as drawbacks, such as the heavy load of the concrete dome, and non-installation of entrance hall, have been indicated in the review process, the Cultural Properties Committee rejected the plan. Subsequently, Kim was appointed as the supervisor of the second restoration project. Kim drew up a process management schedule to be implemented from August 1961 to December 1963 and designed the conception plans for the second restoration design. This study analyzes Kim’s Plan by examining sketches, site plans, floor plans, and sections. Kim planned to maintain the idea of the double-dome structure proposed by Pai while applying Buckminster Fuller’s idea of the Geodesic Dome. Kim planned to lighten the dome structure by applying a steel-frame Geodesic Dome so that the dome structure could be supported by its own. The study is expected to reclaim the omitted parts from Seokguram Grotto's historical description and Kim's careers.

The purpose of this paper is to reconstruct the original floor plan and wall design of Seokbulsa Grotto in Kyungju; commonly known as ‘Seokguram’. The paper presents an array of dimensional studies of the existing Seokguram to examine its architectural form, and infers the original floor plan and wall design of Seokbulsa Grotto. Seokbulsa Grotto is designed as a system of 'coherent modules' and was constructed using the dry stone method, which interlocks large stone modules into a whole that becomes the load-bearing structure itself. The design principles governing Seokbulsa Grotto are the spatial axis of symmetry, modular coordination, and the layout grid of a quarter Tang-Ruler(TR: 唐尺). Dimensional studies were conducted with these governing principles in mind and concludes the following about the original floor plan design. In the main chamber, Ansang-stone’s radius is 12 TR, and Flagstone’s radius is 121/4 TR. In the front chamber, the width between the two Ansang-stones facing each other is 22 TR and the longitudinal space depth is 12 TR, while the width between the two Flagstones facing each other is 221/2 TR and Flagstone’s depth is 12 TR. In the passageway, the width between the two Ansang-stones facing each other is 111/2 TR and longitudinal space depth is 9 TR, while the width between the two Flagstones facing each other is 12 TR and Flagstone’s depth is 73/4 TR. The distance from the center to the entrance line of the main chamber is 101/2 TR. Therefore, the total longitudinal length of the Grotto is 431/2 TR at the level of the Ansang-stones, and 44 TR at the level of the Flagstones.