• Journal of architectural history
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.71-87
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• 2010

Sewon was a new type of private academy established by a class landed Confucian scholars known as sarim. During Joseon dynasty, sewon had dual functions as a shrine and a place of learning. The site plan of seowon appeared mainly two types of site plan according to the indications of the age and school. This paper was done to analyze the site plan and construction history of Simgok seowon with historical materials and excavation investigation result. Simgok seowon is dedicated to Jo Gwang-jo(1482~1519). This private Confucian academy was founded in 1605 as a small shrine, which was destroyed in 1636. Thereafter, when the shrine received a royal warrant naming as Simgok seowon in 1650, the new site for the seowon was chosen, which is currently located in Gyeonggi-do Yongin-si Sanghyeon-ri 203. Since then, buildings of Simgok seowon was constructed and repaired couple of times. Through the investigation, it was found that the site plan of Simgok seowon was originally a type of 'jeonjaehudang', that is, dormitory building between the lecture hall and the outer gate, or dormitory building is in front and lecture hall is in behind.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.17-25
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• 2016

Simgok Seowon is the commemorative shrine and academy established for scholar Jo Gwangjo (pen name : Jeongam). The shrine (sangnyangsik) and the east and west dormitories (Dongjae and Seojae) were built in 1636. The lecture hall, Imsimnu Pavilion, Sananggak and Munhyanggak buildings were built successively. Simgok Seowon is the only one that survived through the abolishment of seowon ordered by Regent Heungseon in the 19th century. The original seowon was renowned as a representative example showing the typical lecture hall in front and dormitory at the back (jeondanghujae) layout of the Giho School built in 1650. Two archaeological excavations were conducted in the lecture hall courtyard in 2004 and 2007~2008, which prompted debates the position of the dormitories in respect to the lecture hall, whether the dormitories should be placed in front, or at the back of the lecture hall. Simgok Seowon had been long known as a representative example of the lecture hall in front layout, but the excavations revealed contrasting evidence, suggesting the possibility for a dormitories in front layout. Recent studies and evidence show that the architecture of Simgok Seowon can be grouped into three phases. The first phase was when the shrine and both dormitories were built to the rear of the lecture hall, the second phase was when the lecture hall, Imsimnu Pavilion, Sananggak and Munhyanggak buildings were built, and lastly the third phase when the east, west dormitories were reconstructed in front of the lecture hall. The large scale construction of Simgok Seowon is related to the education based management of the academy by Doam Yi Jae, and the 17~18th century remains confirmed from the archaeological excavations are evidence of this. Remains for Imsimnu Pavilion, Sananggak, and Munhyanggak buildings have yet to be confirmed, and spaces to the south and east of the seowon are unidentified. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct investigations and research for the unexcavated spaces of the seowon, to conduct in-depth studies and for the effective adaptive re-use of the seowon.

• Industry Promotion Research
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.163-174
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• 2023

Simgok Seowon was established to honor Jo Gwang-jo, who is a scholar and politician in the mid-Joseon period. It is located in a propitious site based on Feng Shui. Its Jusan is Mugokeumseongchae(武曲金星體) with Wonhwahyul(圓窩穴), and its Ansan is Tamrangmokseongchae(貪狼木星體). It is a Jehyang(祭享)-centered Seowon that sets a Jehyang place in Hyeolcheo. Around the Sadang(祠堂), the Four gods including Jwacheongryong(左靑龍) Woobackho(右白虎), Jujak(朱雀), and Hyeonmu(玄武) protect the Hyeolcheo(穴處) well. It is a typical central axis symmetrical spatial arrangement where everything is located centered on Sawoo(祠宇). It is a type of Jeonhakhumyo(前學後廟) that arranges the main hall at the front of buildings and places the Sadang that is a Jehyang place at the back of Sadang. To the left side of the Sadang, Yeonji(蓮池) was created by applying the principles of Cheonwonjibang(天圓地方), which serves as Yusik(遊息) area with functions to adjust microclimate and to extinguish fires. Feng Shui plays an important role when determining orientation, direction, and location of the buildings. Therefore, it could be regarded as realizing the aesthetic spirit of Cheoninhabil(天人合一) to compose the Feng Shui-oriented spatial arrangement by recognizing accurately the relationship between nature and human being depending on topography, wind, water flow, and point of the compass.