More than just a device for opening and closing, hanok windows expand the space, communicate with nature, and provide beauty that changes with the seasons and time. Let’s take a look at how windows transform hanoks into organic spaces.
Windows are openable facilities installed in the walls of a building to allow light and ventilation, and doors to allow people to enter and exit. In modern architecture, windows and doors have clear functions and are easily distinguished by their different sizes and shapes, but in traditional Korean architecture, or hanok, windows and doors are often indistinguishable because they are similar in size and shape. As a result, windows and doors are combined together and called changho (窓戶). This means that windows and doors share the same functions and aesthetics. But if you want to distinguish between windows and doors, you can do so through an architectural component called a mullion. A mumm is a low windowsill installed below a window, at a comfortable height for leaning on with arms resting on it.
More than just functional, hanok windows play a key role in the hanok, which is characterized by the variability of space. Large pairs of windows, sometimes replacing an entire wall, open not only the windows facing the outside but also the windows between rooms and rooms, merging the separate spaces to form a large new space. The opening and closing of the windows connects or separates the inside and outside spaces and changes the division of the interior space. As such, windows play an indispensable role in the spatial organization of hanok.
On the other hand, windows are a unique element in hanoks that showcase the aesthetics of the architecture. When the window is open and there are natural objects such as trees or flowers outside, if you look out from inside the room at a certain distance from the window, you will see a landscape painting within the outer perimeter of the window. The interior space of a hanok is transformed into an aesthetic space that is one with nature by allowing people inside the room to fully communicate with nature outside the room and directly receive the beauty of nature rather than artificial beauty. The open windows erase the boundaries between inside and outside, between people and nature.
In addition, the role of windows in hanoks is emphasized by the changing seasons. In spring and summer, the windows are opened to let in warm sunlight and cool breezes, while in fall and winter, the windows are closed to keep out the cold, but the soft sunlight streaming through the window panes makes the room cozy. In this way, windows go beyond simple opening and closing to provide different beauty and functions for each season, enriching the life of a hanok.
When the window is closed, the grate pattern and window paper play an important aesthetic function. In hanoks, window paper is applied to the grate on the room side. When viewed from outside the room, the symmetrical arrangement of the grates creates a pattern of clean lines. The different patterns of the grilles give the house a distinctive look, and the homeowner’s character. When viewed from inside the room, the window panes have a blue-gray color in the early morning sunlight, a pure milky color when the midday sunlight enters, and the red color of the sunset at the end of the day. The thinness of the window panes also allows communication with the outside world even when the windows are closed. You can hear the wind and birds outside, and feel the emotions and moods of sunny and cloudy days from inside the room. In this way, windows allow for constant communication between people and nature, allowing both to live in harmony with each other.
Hanok windows are also highly valued for their sculptural beauty. The delicate grate patterns on the windows not only beautify the exterior of the hanok, but also visually represent the passage of time through the light and shadows that enter the interior space. This transforms the interior space from a mere living space to an artistic one. These qualities of windows have led to many attempts to bring the traditional aesthetic of hanok into the modern era. Modern architects are using hanok window designs as motifs for new buildings, or incorporating their beauty into existing structures to create spaces that blend tradition and modernity.
In this way, windows are more than just an opening and closing facility; they play an important role in the organization of space, aesthetics, and harmony with nature. Thinking about how to apply these traditional elements to modern architecture is an important challenge for Koreans. A window design that inherits tradition while satisfying modern practicality and aesthetics will play an important role in shaping the future of Korean architecture. Through windows, Koreans can learn about the aesthetics of living in harmony with nature, beyond the boundaries of mere architecture.
Finally, hanok windows are also important for their maintenance and preservation. While many modern buildings are losing their traditional elements in favor of simple economics and convenience, hanok windows have not lost their value amidst this trend. The preservation and management of hanok windows is not just about maintaining old buildings, but also about transmitting Korea’s cultural heritage to future generations. Therefore, efforts should be made to reinterpret hanok windows in a modern way and create a new architectural culture that harmonizes tradition and modernity. These efforts will have a profound impact on Korean life and culture beyond the aesthetic value of architecture.
