Seoul's Bukchon district is famous for its traditional courtyard homes, where stone, wood and clay are the only construction materials used. Photo: Joonhwan Yoon
Seoul's Bukchon district is famous for its traditional courtyard homes, where stone, wood and clay are the only construction materials used. Photo: Joonhwan Yoon
The 2002 Hanok Ordinance aims to retain the architectural beauty of traditional houses and add cultural value. Photo: Yeongchae Park
The 2002 Hanok Ordinance aims to retain the architectural beauty of traditional houses and add cultural value. Photo: Yeongchae Park
Traditional courtyard homes owe their survival to the government’s designating Bukchon a preservation district. Photo: Yeongchae Park
Traditional courtyard homes owe their survival to the government’s designating Bukchon a preservation district. Photo: Yeongchae Park
Property /  International

new | Seoul preserves its personality in traditional urban architecture

Courtyard 'hanok' housing with tiled roofs and stucco exteriors resist the march of progress thanks to visual appeal and eco-friendliness

James King

Updated: 6:00am, 11 Feb, 2015

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Seoul's Bukchon district is famous for its traditional courtyard homes, where stone, wood and clay are the only construction materials used. Photo: Joonhwan Yoon
Seoul's Bukchon district is famous for its traditional courtyard homes, where stone, wood and clay are the only construction materials used. Photo: Joonhwan Yoon
The 2002 Hanok Ordinance aims to retain the architectural beauty of traditional houses and add cultural value. Photo: Yeongchae Park
The 2002 Hanok Ordinance aims to retain the architectural beauty of traditional houses and add cultural value. Photo: Yeongchae Park
Traditional courtyard homes owe their survival to the government’s designating Bukchon a preservation district. Photo: Yeongchae Park
Traditional courtyard homes owe their survival to the government’s designating Bukchon a preservation district. Photo: Yeongchae Park
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