10 ARCHITECTURAL TYPOLOGIES IN SEOUL

Seoul, which became the capital as Hanyang in 1394 after the founding of the Joseon Dynasty in 1392, has been through many moments of historical significance and rapid economic growth. After about 600 years, how can we read this city? Rafael Luna shares his vision and thoughts on this difficult question by offering 10 architectural typologies that make up the capital city, Seoul, offering new perspectives on the city.

Definitions of Architectural Typologies in Seoul

1. Hanok, unlike that of the western single family suburban building, forms a high density low-rise urban carpet of a unified language. Its organic urban composition can be understood by what Maki Fumihiko describes as the ‘Group Form’.

2. Political form deals with politics on the ground. It forms an enclosure that separates itself from the rest of the urban fabric; for example, the walled royal palaces.

3. Iconic form is an autonomous landmark building, often forming a clearing in the urban sea.

4. Villa infills the fine grain modern fabric with a low to mid-rise, mix-use density.

5. Slab housing follows the modern orders of slab and columns in order to be reproduced quickly and efficiently.

6. Megaform and megastructure appear together and yet