Eco-Friendly Hannoks- Part 01

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Eco-Friendly Hannoks- Part 02

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Anyways, I would like to talk about how these Hannoks are fitted into the modern world. Although it is true that Hannoks are quite uncomfortable to live in like most other traditional buildings around the world, there have been various tries to apply Hannok techniques and styles to modern buildings.

One of the best examples is Bukchon Hannok Village located on the northwest of Seoul. You can find it next to Gyeongbokgung, the biggest and most famous palace in Korea. Unlike other villages and museums where Hannoks are just for displays, people actually live in Hannoks at Bukchon Hannok Village.

I visited the place last weekend, and was able to see many interesting places. One of the most unique things about the Hannoks in Bukchon Village is the fact that they have been renovated to fit into the modern world. For example, a building would have the shapes of Hannoks on the exterior, yet it may be filled with modern rooms and facilities inside. This enables cafes, restaurants, and even a dentist?s office to be in a traditional building.

However, the sad thing was that Bukchon Village was losing its color as a traditional village filled with old building. Instead, it is being filled with cafes, fancy restaurants that sell foreign foods, and even boutique shops that sell foreign luxury brands. I saw a Haagen-Dazs, Godiva, and various other stores fixed between traditional Hannoks, which felt very awkward.

Nevertheless, it is a positive thing that people are trying to build more Hannoks, and some modern buildings are being built with Hannok materials. The next time you have a chance to visit Korea and go to Gyeongbokgung, don?t forget to visit the Bukchon Village right aside the palace!

If you want more information about Bukchon Village, visit this website.

http://bukchon.seoul.go.kr/eng/index.jsp

Picture Descriptions

1. A sky-view of the village

2. A traditional Hannok next to a modern street

3. A door of an Hannok

4. A store that doesn't fit in with traditional buildings

5. A modern building built with Hannok materials