The Cultural Biography of Wood and Late Joseon Architectural Technology: Focusing on the Changdeokgung Yeonggeon Dogam Uigwe (1834)

A study reveals that the reconstruction of Daejojeon Hall in Changdeokgung Palace (1834) was significantly shaped by the physical constraints of timber, demonstrating how natural materials actively influenced architectural design and state logistics. The research shows that the inability to source ideal timber forced the expansion of a nationwide logistical network, ultimately reducing the hall's scale from 45 to 36 bays. This 'cultural biography' of wood highlights its role as an active agent in reshaping royal space, challenging idealized historical records and emphasizing the interplay between material resistance and architectural innovation.

Oh, Y. (2026). The Cultural Biography of Wood and Late Joseon Architectural Technology: Focusing on the Changdeokgung Yeonggeon Dogam Uigwe (1834). The Korean Journal of History of Science, 48(1), 191–220. https://doi.org/10.36092/kjhs.2026.48.1.191