A Study on the Applicability of Open-Block Communal Housing Using London Square Morphology

HYUN-JUN Kim

doi:10.6107/JKHA.2025.36.2.107

All Issue

2025 Vol.36, Issue 2 Preview Page Next Page

Research Article

A Study on the Applicability of Open-Block Communal Housing Using London Square Morphology 런던 스퀘어 모폴로지를 활용한 도심 개방형 블록 집합주택 적용 가능성 연구

25 April 2025. pp. 107-120

PDF XML

Abstract

This study explores the applicability of open-block communal housing as a means to improve poor residential environments. The open-block structure of London Squares, known for alleviating the closed nature of courtyards, offers a solution by creating independent blocks with open corners, allowing the city’s street grid to naturally integrate with the residential blocks. To explore the feasibility of this proposal, case studies of Montagu Square and Bryanston Square in central London—both of which have provided high-quality living environments for centuries—were compared with District 6, Yangjae 2-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul. Through this comparative analysis, key urban morphological factors influencing residential environments, such as street structure, block logic, public vs. private space and green space ratios, were identified. The applied scheme includes three open courtyards, a public street circulation system, and residential blocks, addressing the critical issue of public space. The open-block morphology significantly increases the proportion of public space and green views from residential areas compared to apartment complexes, offering a more balanced, community-centered model. This study suggests that open-block communal housing can provide a sustainable urban model, similar to the enduring success of London Squares.

Keywords

Open-Block

Communal Housing

Urban Morphology

London Square

키워드

개방형 블록

공동체 집합주택

도시 모폴로지

런던 스퀘어

References

Coulter, J. (2016). Squares of London. UK: The History Press Ltd.

Choi, Y. J. (2024. 5. 21.). Yangjae 2 and 6 districts' Moa Town rejected… Residents face intense conflict. FN News. Retrieved from https://www.fnnews.com/news/202405211811022320

Geograph (n.d.). https://www.geograph.org.uk/

Google Earth (n.d.). https://earth.google.com/

Ha, J. Y., & Lim, Y.K. (2008). A Study of Building Performance Evaluation and Legal Improvement of Perimeter Block Housing. Korea: Architecture & Urban Research Institute.

Jun, B. K. (2011). A Study on the Application of Low-Rise and High-Density Multiple Dwelling Housing Model in Urban Individual Residential Area - Focused on Ui-dong Public Detached Housing Area -. Journal of the Korean Housing Association, 22(3), 101-111.

10.6107/JKHA.2011.22.3.101

Kim, H. J. (2022. 4.). "Discussion on Urban-Architectural Integrated Policy Directions: Focusing on the Aylesbury Estate Regeneration Case in London". Presidential Commission on Architectural Policy Newsletter. Retrieved from https://www.pcap.go.kr/_themes/default/upload/newsletter/66/sub02.html

Kim, S. H. (2004). Morphological Theory and Design in Modern and Contemporary Architecture. Journal of Achitectural History, 13(4), 89-105.

Yoo, O. S. (2025. 2. 7.). 'Exceeding 4 billion won'… Despite the real estate slump, another 'record-high price' has been set. Korea Economic TV. Retrieved from https://www.wowtv.co.kr/NewsCenter/News/Read?articleId=202502079495i

Lawrence, W. H. (1993). The Greening of the Squares of London: Transformation of Urban Landscapes and Ideals. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 83(1), 90-108.

10.1111/j.1467-8306.1993.tb01924.x

Park, C. S. (2021). Korean Housing DNA 1. Seoul: Mati Books.

Park, I. S. (2013). Apartment Korea: Cities and Everyday Life Trapped in the Complex Republic. Seoul: HYEONAMSA Co., Ltd.

PrimeLocation (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.primelocation.com/

Sakai, A. (2011). 'Re-assessing' London's squares: The development of preservation policy 1880-1931. Town Planning Review, 82(6), 615-637.

10.3828/tpr.2011.36

Schurk, H., Gerber, A., Kurath, S., & Züger, R. (2018). Handbook of Methods for Architecture and Urban Design. Zurich, Switzerland: Triest Verlag für Architektur, Design und Typografie.

Kim, H. J. (2021. 11. 15.). Use of apartment playgrounds by outsiders considered 'trespassing'?. Segye Ilbo. Retrieved from https://www.segye.com/newsView/20211111511960

Seoul Metropolitan Government (2025). Moa Housing and Moa Town Projects. Retrieved from https://news.seoul.go.kr/citybuild/archives/523427

Sitte, C. (2013). The Art of Building Cities: City building According to its Artistic Fundamentals. Stewart, C. T. (Trans. and Illustrated Ed.), Eastford, CT: Martino Fine Books.

Southwark Council (2010). Aylesbury Area Action Plan. Retrieved from https://www.southwark.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2024-10/Aylesbury%20AAP%202010.pdf

Teige, K. (2002). The Minimum Dwelling E. Ehrenreich & D. Orenstein, Trans. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

UK Government (1835). The Highways Act 1835. London: HMSO.

UK Government (1848). Public Health Act 1848. London: HMSO.

UK Government (1855). The Metropolitan Management Act 1855. London: HMSO.

UK Government (1931). London Squares Preservation Act 1931. London: HMSO.

UK Government (1996). The Housing Act 1996. London: HMSO.

Won, K. S., & Kim, J. I.. (2000). A Study on Composing Urban-spaces through Blocks. The Architectural Institute of Korea, 20(1), 347-350.

Yoo, H. Y. (2010). Planing Study of Small-Unit Low-Rise Residential Block for the Urban Regeneration. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Seoul National University. Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Information

Publisher :The Korean Housing Association
Publisher(Ko) :한국주거학회
Journal Title :Journal of the Korean Housing Association
Journal Title(Ko) :한국주거학회논문집
Volume : 36
No :2
Pages :107-120
Received Date : 2025-02-17
Revised Date : 2025-03-14
Accepted Date : 2025-03-18
DOI :https://doi.org/10.6107/JKHA.2025.36.2.107

Journal of the Korean Housing Association ISSN:2234-3571(Print) 2234-2257(Online) 한국주거학회논문집

All Issue