• Journal of the Korean housing association
• /
• v.20 no.6
• /
• pp.19-29
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study is to clarify the spatial changes that have taken place in the main rooms (Anbang) and kitchens of traditional Utbangkkeokeum houses in Cheongju city, located on the central inland of Korea. These houses consist of a main house (Momchae) and a single-wing house (Nalgaechae), creating an ㄱ-shaped plan. The kitchen is in the front of the Nalgaechae, and the Anbang is at the rear. For the Momchae, the main hall (Daechung) is next to the Anbang, which is at the end of the Nalgaechae, and the room (Gunnunbang) is situated across from the Daechung. This study is based on the assumption that these houses have been conserved and altered from their original forms. As a result of alterations, many changes have occurred to the main room and kitchen spaces. The traditional main room is connected with two rooms (Utbang and Araebang), new standup kitchens are introduced, and floor heating systems are installed. The Anbang has maintained its sedentary lifestyle and the space for major daily activities such as sleeping and TV viewing. Also, TV viewing is a distinctive feature for residential purposes and the bedding is located in such a position that it is easy to observe any exterior movement for the elderly living alone. The layout of the standup kitchen has been altered to maintain the previous circulation, position and function of the entrance. Also, the kitchen and dining room were used together, and the size of these rooms has been partially increased from the original module in different ways for each case. The above findings suggest that Utbangkkeokeum houses of Cheongju city have been spatially changed while maintaining the previous lifestyle.