Finding the Hidden Design Philosophy in Korean Traditional Space: Humor, the Inner Resource of Old Wisdom

This study is about humor and its application in Korean traditional space, which merges culture, design, and preservation. The purpose of the research is to seek humor as a significant design concept in Korean traditional space, and establish it through the examples. The examples focused on are found in temples and palaces since those are relatively well preserved Korean traditional spaces. Each humor in the examples is interpreted based on culture and the mentality of the age, such as religion, ideology, and customs. Also, forms and functions of humor are examined. Through the design analyses of case studies, unique characteristics of Korean traditional humor were found, and the importance was also discussed. Unlike that of Western countries, humor in Korean traditional space is soft, metaphoric, and human. Moreover, the humor creates intimacy and a unique sense of place so that it attracts viewers. Namely, humor is one of the significant design elements which has potential to be applied and developed for the future. Ultimately, the contents of this book will become an essential design guideline for both Korea and the western world.