The spatial configurations in South Korean apartments built between 1972 and 2000

In order to overcome the housing shortage, a large number of apartments were built in South Korea during the second half of the 20th century. Thus, the apartments became the typical housing type in South Korea. This paper is intended to analyze the changes in the spatial configurations of the apartments constructed in Cheongju, South Korea, from the 1972 to 2000. This study has employed Space Syntax to quantify spatial and functional patterns within spatial configurations. The results of this research showed that the apartments built in 20th-century South Korea have specific spatial configurations arising from combining a modern way of life with the traditional lifestyle based on the Ondol system, and that the spatial configurations and sizes of the housing units changed in accordance with economic growth, housing policies, and the continued decrease in family size. The overall trend in the spatial configurations was to extend the functionality of each space in a housing unit by combining, separating, and adding functional spaces, and by emphasizing the independence of the each space. •This paper analyzes the spatial configurations in South Korean apartments built between 1972 and 2000, using Space Syntax.•The apartments examined have a specific spatial configuration that combines a modern way with traditional lifestyle.•The spatial configurations and sizes of housing units changed according to socio-economic changes.•The spatial configurations had been changed toward extending the functionality and independence of each space in the unit.