Houses for an Information Society by Interpretation of Traditional Korean Houses

Abstract

An information-intensive society should be supported not only by the development of computer hard/software, but also by the entire social structure, including practical living conditions such housing structures. Therefore, it is inevitable that housing styles should change in relation to new demands in the living and working environment that result from the development of an information-intensive society. The alternatives suggested by this study refer to traditional Korean houses as a means of setting some physical distances between the workplace and living area in the same unit building; differences in the level between 'home space' and 'office space', differences in materials used (wood, concrete, etc.,), and in particular, the method of access whereby dwellers should go out and come in to enter the 'office space', are all explored. We have also referred to the unique Korean custom of removing our shoes to enter another space. Furthermore, the concept of containing a social space in the living space of a traditional Korean house was reinterpreted to suggest that the traditional Korean house is a prototype that is suits the living and working needs of our information-intensive society. In this view, 3 types of houses are presented: the flat type, the tower type and the skip floor type. These houses have two independent entrances for the home space and the work space thereby providing a separate, efficient place to work from home.