Hanok : the Korean house / Nani Park and Robert J. Fouser ; photography by Jongkeun Lee.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

A rare glimpse into Korean hanok , Inside the Korean House takes readers on an unprecedented tour through the modern interiors of twelve magnificent tradional homes.

Amidst the glass-and-steel skyscrapers and luxury apartments of modern-day Seoul, traditional Korean houses known as hanok survive and play a surprisingly important role. Inside the Korean House showcases 12 very special hanok that have been selected to reflect the style-conscious Korea of today, a country where traditional values are still highly respected.

While the exteriors of these homes are indistinguishable from the traditional hanok of the past, the interiors have been adapted to keep up with the times. Traditional stone, wood and clay are still the basic materials used, and the houses make full use of natural elements such as wind and sunlight based on the principles of baesanimsu --which position the hanok in harmony with the forces of nature and the geography of their sites.

The hanok in this book all have unique stories that are told from the point of view of their owners, many of whom are well-known architects, designers and business leaders. The book provides an unparalleled look at the lifestyle of contemporary Koreans who are leading the world now in terms of design, fashion and innovation.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Hanok literally means "Korea house." Park, who was raised in this type of dwelling, and Fouser, who is active in hanok preservation, present the history and existing examples of this vernacular architecture. Fouser delineates the characteristics of the style, which originated in the 14th century and then explains its evolution, which became a symbol of nationalism under Japanese rule in the early part of the 20th century. The authors then visit 12 of these abodes that incorporate modern conveniences and aesthetics within the traditional style. More than 200 color photographs show examples of renovated buildings, such as the Yun Posun Residence, and of newly constructed homes, such as Jiwuheon, built in 2011. VERDICT A well-presented, detailed view of traditional Korean domestic architecture overlooked until now. (c) Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.