Traditional Hanok Pavilion Construction for Gyeongbok Palace Garden

Construction of a traditional Korean tea pavilion using authentic joinery techniques in the east garden of Gyeongbok Palace. The structure requires traditional roof framing and decorative elements that match the historical architecture of the palace. All connections must use traditional joinery methods with minimal modern fasteners.

Steps

1 / 8 | Pre-cutting and Preparing Traditional Joinery Components in Workshop

The team is working in the traditional joinery section of Hanyang Mokjae's workshop, meticulously preparing components for the Gyeongbok Palace tea pavilion. Master carpenter Kim Young-soo is supervising the creation of complex roof bracket systems (gongpo) following historical blueprints. Despite his arthritis, he demonstrates precise measurement techniques to the team. Park Sung-jin oversees production workflow, ensuring each timber receives proper treatment and seasoning before cutting begins. The team carefully selects premium pine and hardwood pieces based on grain pattern and structural integrity. Song Min-ji focuses on cutting precise tenons and mortises using both traditional hand tools and specialized jigs. The complex bracket system components require exact 3-dimensional joinery with tolerances under 1mm to ensure proper load distribution. Apprentice Kang Do-hyun assists with initial material preparation and learns traditional marking techniques. Each piece is marked with traditional symbols indicating its position in the finished structure. After cutting, joints are test-fitted, adjusted with hand planes and chisels until they connect with perfect tension, then disassembled for transport. The team works methodically through the architectural plans, creating the intricate interlocking wooden components that will support the pavilion roof without nails or modern fasteners.

2 / 8 | Hand-carving Traditional Decorative Elements for Hanok Pavilion

The carpentry team is meticulously hand-carving decorative elements that must precisely match the historical patterns of Gyeongbok Palace. Master carpenter Kim Young-soo leads this delicate process, working primarily on the complex lotus flower and cloud motif brackets (called 'gongpo') using traditional hand tools. Each piece requires careful reference to historical documentation and photographs provided by the Cultural Heritage Administration. The work involves initial pattern transfer using traditional paper templates, rough cutting to establish the basic forms, and then detailed carving to achieve the historical accuracy required. The decorative elements include roof-end caps (cheongsachorong), intricate bracket arms, column capitals with floral motifs, and beam-end carvings. Each piece must maintain authenticity in both appearance and construction methods, with absolutely no modern shortcuts allowed as stipulated in the contract.

3 / 8 | Traditional Hanok Pavilion Mock Assembly

The carpentry team is conducting a complete mock assembly of the tea pavilion in their workshop before transporting it to Gyeongbok Palace. This crucial step ensures all hand-crafted joinery components fit together perfectly and reveals any potential issues before on-site installation. The team is meticulously assembling the structure on a level concrete floor with layout lines marked according to the traditional measurements. They're working with exceptional care, as many joints are complex interlocking systems without modern fasteners. Master Kim Young-soo is demonstrating the proper assembly sequence of the roof bracket system (gongpo), which requires precise alignment and fitting. Each structural element is numbered and marked with traditional Korean carpenter symbols to indicate orientation and assembly order. The roof bracketing system presents the most complex assembly challenge, as it involves multiple interlocking pieces that must transfer weight properly while maintaining historical accuracy. Each joint is test-fitted multiple times, with minor adjustments made with hand tools to ensure perfect connections. The team is documenting the entire assembly process with photos and notes to guide the on-site installation later.

4 / 8 | Transporting Traditional Hanok Pavilion Components to Gyeongbok Palace

Today's critical task involves securely packaging and transporting all pre-fabricated wooden components from the Hanyang Mokjae workshop to the Gyeongbok Palace site. Each piece has been individually wrapped according to component type. Large structural beams and columns are being wrapped first in cotton cloth to prevent surface scratching, then in water-resistant fabric, and finally secured to custom-built wooden cradles with foam padding and straps. Smaller joinery pieces and decorative elements are organized in categorized wooden crates with individual compartments and custom foam inserts. Roof bracket systems (gongpo) receive extra protection with specialized wooden frames that maintain their precise alignment during transit. Park Sung-jin is meticulously checking each package against the master inventory list, applying QR code labels that correspond to the installation sequence and location. The team is loading items according to the reverse order of installation, ensuring that components needed first will be unloaded last. All team members handle the centuries-old joinery techniques with reverence, understanding that any damage would compromise both structural integrity and historical authenticity.

5 / 8 | Establishing Traditional Hanok Foundation and Ground Framework at Gyeongbok Palace

The team is establishing the foundation and ground framework for the traditional tea pavilion using authentic methods at the Gyeongbok Palace garden site. This critical phase involves precise layout of the foundation stones (goedol) according to historical plans and placing the essential base beams (gireugo) that will support the entire structure. Master Kim Young-soo is overseeing the precise placement of foundation stones, applying his extensive traditional joinery knowledge to ensure proper leveling and orientation according to historical practices. Each stone must be individually assessed for proper bearing capacity and aesthetically positioned. The team frequently consults detailed historical drawings and measurements, taking great care to maintain accurate dimensions that align with historical proportions. They are using traditional measuring techniques with modern verification tools to ensure accuracy. The wooden sill plates (gidung-dolchae) are being carefully positioned on the foundation stones with specialized notching to prevent lateral movement. This traditional method relies on precise weight distribution rather than modern fasteners, requiring exact calculations and careful execution.

6 / 8 | Assemble main structural columns and beams using traditional joinery techniques

The carpentry team is assembling the main structural framework of the traditional hanok pavilion at Gyeongbok Palace. This critical phase involves joining the pre-fabricated wooden columns and beams using authentic Korean joinery methods with minimal modern fasteners. Kim Young-soo is directing the precise positioning of each component while frequently consulting the traditional architectural plans. The columns (기둥, gidung) are being positioned on stone foundation bases (초석, choseok) with traditional mortise joints. The main beams (보, bo) are being carefully lifted and fitted into precisely carved joints on top of the columns. Park Sung-jin is focusing on ensuring the complex interlocking joints fit perfectly, making minor adjustments with hand tools as needed. The team is using wooden mallets rather than metal hammers to protect the wood surfaces when tapping joints together. They're also using traditional wooden pegs (촉, chok) to secure certain connections rather than metal fasteners. Each component must be perfectly level and plumb, as even small errors at this stage would compromise both structural integrity and visual authenticity of the finished pavilion.

7 / 8 | Installing Traditional Korean Roof Framing System with Gongpo Bracket Sets

This task involves the precise installation of the traditional Korean roof framing system featuring complex gongpo (wooden bracket) assemblies that support the curved eaves characteristic of hanok architecture. The work requires careful coordination between team members as they position, align, and secure the pre-fabricated wooden components that were prepared in the workshop. Each bracket set consists of multiple interlocking pieces that must be assembled in a specific sequence without using modern fasteners. The gongpo brackets distribute the substantial weight of the traditional tile roof while creating the graceful upward curve at the eaves. The team must follow historical construction techniques while ensuring structural integrity that meets modern safety requirements. The installation requires frequent reference to traditional methods and documentation from the Cultural Heritage Administration to ensure authentic replication of Joseon Dynasty building techniques. Precise measurements and adjustments are made continuously throughout the installation process to maintain proper alignment and load distribution across the entire structure.

8 / 8 | Apply Roof Finishing and Decorative Elements Matching Historical Palace Architecture

The team is applying the final roof finishing and decorative elements to the traditional Hanok pavilion at Gyeongbok Palace garden. This includes installing hand-carved roof tiles (giwa) in the traditional overlapping pattern, securing ornamental ridge pieces, and attaching intricately carved wooden eaves brackets (kkotdam). The roof features the distinctive curved eaves of traditional Korean architecture, requiring precise installation to maintain proper water runoff. Each decorative element must precisely match historical references approved by palace historians. Master Kim is overseeing the placement of the final ridge ornament (chimi) - a stylized dragon fish that will crown the roof peak. The team is working meticulously to ensure that all elements are historically accurate and structurally sound, using traditional wooden pegs and minimal modern fasteners as specified in the contract. Special attention is given to the decorative painted patterns (dancheong) applied to wooden elements, which must follow the specific color schemes and patterns documented in historical records.