Newly introduction of indoor passages in Changdeokgung Palace in the early twentieth century: a typological analysis and its architectural implications

A groundbreaking transformation occurred at Changdeokgung Palace between 1907 and 1920, marking the first introduction of fully enclosed indoor passages in traditional Korean palace architecture. This study reveals two distinct passage types—Corridors, which connected separate buildings and were later removed during restorations, and Hallways, which organized interior space within single buildings and became universally standardized post-independence. The findings challenge prior assumptions about colonial imposition, demonstrating instead a complex hybridity where traditional and modern spatial concepts coexisted. By analyzing historical drawings, newspapers, and restoration documents, the research refines architectural typology frameworks and extends postcolonial hybridity theory to palace architecture, offering critical insights for heritage preservation that recognize multiple legitimate historical layers.

Kee, S. (2025). Newly introduction of indoor passages in Changdeokgung Palace in the early twentieth century: a typological analysis and its architectural implications. Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, 1–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/13467581.2025.2606531