The present situation of shelter and case study of stone cultural heritage

석조문화재 보호각 현황과 사례연구

Most of the important stone cultural heritage (National treasures and Treasures) in Korea are mainly located outdoor and considerably affected by the changes of the temperature, humidity and rainfalls. 541 of the stone cultural heritage are preserved as National treasure and Treasure. The pagodas occupy 187 remains and next 127 Buddha statues, 68 monuments, 60 stupas, and the others 74 stone cultural heritages. The shelter has been installed for one pagoda, 60 Buddha statues, 36 monuments and two stupas. The shelters are categorized in three shapes as traditional shape, modern shape, and others (tradition+modern). Approximately 100 of shelters that have constructed in traditional ways, and about nine of shelters have modern ways, and the only one has the combination shape of tradition and modern, which has been constructed since mid 1900s and repaired from the 1980s~2000s. Many researchers are studying for improvement of manners such as repairing, remodeling or removing of the shelter because problems have occured on shelters. Architectural form of traditional style of Korean timber building is respected, but it has problems on importing natural sunlight to the inside as well as ventilation and spacial problems. However, it needs to supplement policies to improve the positive roles of shelters such as prevention of artificial damage, blocking acid rain, and so on. For instance, the rock-carved Buddha Triad in Seosan, it had problems with viewing, contamination, and dew condensation on the surface. These problems decreased after dismantling the shelter, the space was made for improvement of viewing and dew condensation, and moisture problems were in better conditions. The velocity wind is an important factor in drying conditions on the surface of the rock, therefore the condition has improved after dismantling the shelter.