Inside the Korean House: Architecture and Design in the Contemporary Hanok

A rare glimpse into Korean hanok, Inside the Korean House takes readers on an unprecedented tour through the modern interiors of twelve magnificent tradional homes.

Amidst the glass-and-steel skyscrapers and luxury apartments of modern-day Seoul, traditional Korean houses known as hanok survive and play a surprisingly important role. Inside the Korean House showcases 12 very special hanok that have been selected to reflect the style-conscious Korea of today, a country where traditional values are still highly respected.

While the exteriors of these homes are indistinguishable from the traditional hanok of the past, the interiors have been adapted to keep up with the times. Traditional stone, wood and clay are still the basic materials used, and the houses make full use of natural elements such as wind and sunlight based on the principles of baesanimsu--which position the hanok in harmony with the forces of nature and the geography of their sites.

The hanok in this book all have unique stories that are told from the point of view of their owners, many of whom are well-known architects, designers and business leaders. The book provides an unparalleled look at the lifestyle of contemporary Koreans who are leading the world now in terms of design, fashion and innovation.

Nani Park was born in Korea but grew up in Hawaii, which gives her a special perspective as both an insider and outsider in Korea. Currently residing in Seoul, she lived in a hanok when she was young and wanted to share her experience of contemporary hanok living. An award-winning illustrator and art educator with a Master’s degree in fine arts from the School of Visual Arts in New York, she has worked in the art industry for over two decades.

Robert J. Fouser was born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He holds a BA in Japanese language and literature and an MA in applied linguistics, both from the University of Michigan, and a PhD in applied linguistics from Trinity College, Dublin. Since 2008 he has taught Korean at Seoul National University. He renovated his own hanok in 2012 and has been active in promoting hanok preservation.

Jongkeun Lee is one of Korea’s leading photographers of interiors, food and products. He established his own studio, Apo Associates, in 1995 and works actively in the field of advertising. He contributes regularly to design and lifestyle magazines and his photographs are featured in the book Korea Style, published by Tuttle Publishing.