(Traditional Architecture in modern Asia; Proceeding of 2002 Seoul International Conference on East Asian Architectural History, Oct. 2002)

ABSTRACT 

     This study examines the water system of a Korean clan village from an environmental and spatial perspective. In the course of this study, it has been found that traditional water systems affect the spatial organization of the clan villages and help to mitigate negative environmental impact. Therefore, the water system may be regarded as an indispensable element to the study of the settlement type.
     In this study, the territorial organization and circulation systems of Korean clan villages are described with reference to their water systems. Consequently, it has been observed that the pond, which is generally found in the front section of the clan village, functions as a central element in the village, and that the main waterway shapes the boundary of the housing area in the village.
     Especially, this study has proven, through experimentation, the environmental performance of the two key water spaces of the Korean clan village; the pond and waterway. Both have been found to be highly effective at naturally purifying sewage. Through this study, it is clarified that the Korean clan village has a natural purification system consisting of pond(s) and waterway(s).

Keywords: clan village; traditional settlement; water system; pond; waterway; natural purification