• Journal of architectural history
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.69-80
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• 2023

Before the 15th century, the main buildings of the residences of the ruling class in Seoul consisted of Momchae(身梗), Seocheong(西廳), and Naeru(內樓)‧Chimru(寢樓). Based on the equality of the relationship between husband and wife, the couple lived in the main building[Momchae] in the center of the mansion, but based on the individuality of the relationship between husband and wife, each had an area consisting of the same section within the building. Naeru·Chimru was the two floors bedroom building became a common living space for the minister and wife, upstairs in summer, downstairs in winter. In preparation for large gatherings and important receptions, an open-structured West Hall(西廳) was located on the west side of the mansion. Momchae, Seocheong, and Naeru‧Chimru were the common building types and layouts of the residences of the highest ruling class, including high-ranking officials, until the reign of King Sejong. However, from around the time of King Seongjong, Seocheong and Chimru came to be regarded as privileged and luxurious buildings only allowed for the grand prince's residence. The layout of the bedroom, main building (including Wings), Outer Sarang[外舍廊], and Joyangru[朝陽樓] of Prince Bongrim's mansion built in the first half of the 17th century clearly shows the transitional period when the arrangement of chimru, main building, and western office was disrupted and the layout changed to the Inner main building(Anchae for wife) and Outer main building(Sarangchae for husband).

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.51-64
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• 2020

Southern Royal Villa served as an accommodation for the prince in early Joseon Dynasty, and as an official residence and banquet room for Chinese diplomats in the later period. It was facing south and was located at the southern part of the old town of Seoul and to the north of the Southern Gate. The place was divided into four parts: the outmost, the middle, the inner-middle and the inner part beginning from the south and with important buildings placed in the inner part. The residence for the first and the second highest diplomats was situated at the northernmost location. The residence for the highest diplomat was a two-story building. On the west side of the residence was the large scale Western Banquet Room. It consisted of a single wide hall suited for a grand ceremony, and had the greatest formality and solemnity. On the southwestern side of the diplomatic residence was a building which was called Momchae before the early 17th century and Namru(南樓) after the 19th century. Namru in the inner-middle part is the half-sized remnant of Momchae, which used to be the largest building in the Southern Royal Villa. The title 'Momchae (meaning Main Buildling)' signifies that the building represented the entire Villa when it was built as an accommodation for princes. The layout of the Villa in early Joseon Dynasty, which was centered around Momchae, is highly likely to have been a common structure of royal villa for princes during the period.