Abstract
The present study purposed to identify differences and similarities in traditional residential space among Korea. China and Japan, which share similar social structure, and to make a comparative analysis on differences in traditional residential space according to family relation in the three countries. For these Purpose, this study selected residences, which are similar to one another in terns of time, class and economy and analyzed them using their floor plans and photographs. The results of this research are as follows. Knrea, China and Japan, all of which have family-centered social structure, separate their residential space from the external society and particularly women's space is placed inside men's space or in a secluded area. The most remarkable characteristic of residential space in Korea is the division of living spare between men and women. Space is allocated according to the hierarchical order of families. In this way, the position or order of family members is reflected in the use of space. Characteristically in China based on the large-family system each family is given a space for independent life. Particularly as the relation among brothers is emphasized, space is allocated equally to all brothers but the status of a space is determined by the order of the residents. Residential space in Japan is organized to emphasize the absolute authority and status of the head of the family. As the space is planned focused on the family head's daily life and guest reception, the relation among other family members is ignored. That is, Japanese residence is a social space for the family head's guest reception, Chinese residence is a family-centered space rather than a social space, and Korean residence accommodates both space for family life and social space.