Jaepil Choi

Comparative Analysis of the Spatial Structure of Apartment Unit Plans in Asia - Apartments in Korea, Vietnam, and Kazakhstan -

Abstract Though apartments are often criticized for their homogeneous nature, they are being actively adopted as an efficient method of providing houses for developing countries. In this paper, the authors argue whether such phenomenon can be seen simply as cultural identity giving in to internationalism. That is, apartments can indeed reflect locality within their spatial structure. To support this argument, apartment units from Korea, Vietnam, and Kazakhstan, three countries from dramatically different climate zones and cultural backgrounds, are analyzed. In doing so, Space Syntax, a quantitative analysis method widely used to interpret the cultural aspects embedded into a spatial structure is utilized. Each country′s apartment units had different functions at the topological center, which should not be seen as a mere coincidence since they were consistent with the spatial characteristic found in their respective traditional houses. Therefore, it can be said that apartments, in their unit plans, do reflect locality, a direct contradiction to the general belief.

Economic Logic of Apartment Unit Designs

Abstract In this study, we discuss the unique characteristics of apartment unit plan design in Korea, which we assume to have been influenced by economic logic. This research is based on two basic approaches in looking at the apartment: first is from the functional approach that an apartment is a ″home″ where people live; and second is from an economic approach of viewing an apartment as property with economic value. This study focuses on how the unit design of apartments in Korea has evolved, and how use value and exchange value have influenced this change. Use value is related to the characteristics an apartment has as a ″home″ while the exchange value is related to its characteristics as property. For the purpose of this study, ″Effective Area″ is suggested as a conceptual parameter for the description of use-exchange value of the apartment. It is argued that the use value and exchange value have produced specific physical characteristics in the unit plan: the predominance of the living room-centered unit plan over the bedroom cluster; the prevalence of the stair type building apartment over corridor types; the emergence of wrapping balconies; and the reduction of closet areas in the unit plan. These characteristics are the results from the dominance of the exchange value in plan design, and do not always enhance the use value of the housing.

Parametric Louver Design System Based On Direct Solar Radiation Control Performance

The purpose of this study is to develop a parametric design methodology that combines parametric design with thermal analysis. This new approach suggests that a form emerges from a performance based analysis. The result of the study is a parametric louver design system, which optimizes a louver form based on its direct solar radiation control performance. The system is composed of three parts: the analysis part, parametric design part, and optimization part. Each part functions interactively to produce an output. The output is the best performing louver form for the given site from the aspect of its yearly direct solar radiation control performance. The study applies the suggested design system to a case study, which is a virtual curtain wall office building in Seoul, Korea. The system produces the best performing louver form for each of the building′s two main facades. The study compares the thermal performance of the best performing louver design with a commonly used louver design using a different software, Ecotect Analysis 2011. The Ecotect′s thermal analysis confirms that the suggested louver forms perform better, reducing the building′s heating and cooling loads.

The Neighborhood Unit: Effective or Obsolete?

Abstract This study attempts to verify the validity of the neighborhood unit theory in Korea and interpret its meaning. In Korea, Perry′s neighborhood unit theory has been applied to new cities and housing block plans as a design principle since its introduction. While the theory has been actively applied to New Town developments throughout the world, it has also faced criticisms. This paper begins with the question ′Does Perry′s theory still have viability in Korea?′ First of all, this research reviewed the major contents and corresponding examples of Perry′s theory. In attempts to answer this question, major contents of the controversies were summarized historically, along with reviews on the background of how Perry′s theory was introduced. This is followed by examinations of applications of the neighborhood unit theory in Korea. Additionally, solutions regarding criticism of the theory were diagnosed. It was also pointed out that although there was a time that Perry′s theory was applied uniformly during socioeconomic changes in Korea, there were efforts to overcome the limitations of this theory. As a result, it was found that the neighborhood unit theory still viably suggests basic design principles for various types of planning from residential planning to life zone planning.

Quantitative Analysis on the Spatial Configuration of Korean Apartment Complexes

The objective of this research is to investigate the periodic changes in external spatial configuration of Korean apartment complexes and their planning concepts with quantitative spatial analysis methodology, for the purpose of comparatively analyzing the results with the relevant social, economic climate of its period. Based on the axial map analysis method, we established a spatial configuration analysis model of apartment complexes by setting the relevant analysis indices and criteria for periodic, spatial classification. One-way ANOVA was applied to the periodical indices of integration and PD for each spatial component, and then the periodical mean values of the indices for each spatial component were calculated to make comparisons across the periods. The results revealed that differing planning initiatives according to each period were not only reflected in the spatial configuration of the apartments in their entirety, but that it was also possible to extract key elements in planning which made up the apartments in that particular period.

A Study on the Extension Remodeling Method of Apartment Building Stock

Apartments have been the most prevalent type of housing in Korea for the past few decades. During those times, apartments have emerged as one of the most attractive real estate properties in Korea, with the still growing population living in them. Now that over twenty years have passed since the 1970s and 1980s when apartment construction started booming, building stocks are increasing that need refurbishment. In this concern, apartment extension has raised public interest for the past few years, as the remodeling of them has mainly been considered in terms of increasing asset value in Korea. It comes through in our study that these extension types are examined by such items as building core types, number of rooms and front and rear bays in unit, and other design features related to extension techniques. The objective of this study is to suggest a way to produce the best quality possible of unit plan through extension.

The Development of a Biometric Information Classification System for Biomimicry Architecture Research

The purpose of this research is to construct a classification system of biological information so that it can be applied to biomimicry architectural research. It is both uneconomical and time consuming for architectural researchers to spend time searching and studying principles of organisms. In this study, we suggested a classification system which includes biological information and can be used as a guide for architectural researchers attempting to research biomimicry architecture. Basic principles were extracted from architectural planning elements and biological information. Architectural experts matched biological principles to relevant architectural principles. Based on the architectural and biological principle correspondence table, group analysis was conducted. Biological principles were classified into 6 parts: air, structure/material, habitat, water/circulation, shape, and energy. This classification of biological principles corresponds to 6 architectural principles: ventilation, natural material, insulation, water resource, awning, and lighting/solar heat. According to the results of this research, specific classification groups may appear as biometric information increase through further research.

Reusing Vacant Public Buildings for Social Integration - Focusing on the Conversion of Dong-Offices and Primary Schools into `Housing-Mixed Public Facilities` -

Due to the growing interest in eco-friendly and sustainable design in the architectural and urban planning field, we are witnessing numerous projects in which old buildings are being reused. However, with the exception of domestic apartments, there hasn`t been a systematic approach or policy regarding the reuse of specific building types. On the other hand, we were able to point out two public building types, dong-offices and primary schools, that are expected to be underused, with future needs for conversion. Because the two building types are public buildings, we believe that their conversion must address the needs of the society. In this study, we have chosen `social integration` as the ultimate goal of reusing public buildings. Upon the conceptual model of `Housing-Mixed Public Facility`, which was produced in a previous study, we have added other core programs that could be adopted into the model. Then, we applied the improved model onto the two building types by producing conversion plans and introducing key planning techniques. During this process, we have found some regulations that would not allow the realization of some models. Therefore, we have suggested amendments to the related regulations.

A Typology of Korean Housing Units: In Search of Spatial Configuration

Abstract Space analysis aims to identify the relations between society and space. Space analysis results let us identify the characteristics of the targeted space and subsequent human activities based on the notion of social relationship. The reason authors try to understand spatial structure lies in that it is the intrinsic attribute of physical built environment. This research looks into apartment houses, a widespread form of housing in Korea, in an attempt to investigate the social logic lying in its domestic space by measuring the spatial configuration. This research is based on empirical data and uses a quantitative methodology; Space Syntax. Characteristics of spatial structure in apartment units and their meanings were identified through this research. The implication of the living room-centered layout type most common in Korean apartments was discussed from the viewpoint of the domestic space genotype.

Optimization of Wind Louver Angle By CFD Simulation

The objective of this study was to determine the optimal angle of a wind louver that would induce the optimal wind speed for indoor. Being controlled to have an optimized angle depending on the direction from which wind is blowing and the wind speed, the wind louver to be installed on the building envelop comes to create indoor comfort through a constant wind speed using the function that reduces the indoor wind speed by changing the angle when the wind speed is not lower than a certain level and makes wind flow into the room to the maximum when the wind direction is adverse to catching the wind or the wind speed is not higher than a certain level. To determine the optimal wind louver angle, a core-centered office building with cross-ventilation problems in the climate of Seoul, Korea, which experiences four distinct seasons, was considered for analysis in this study. A module 1 office space model was used for the CFD simulation to analyze the average indoor wind speed with respect to the outdoor wind speed (varied between 1 and 8 m/s), the wind louver angle, and the outdoor wind direction (varied between 0°and 180°in steps of 10°).