Economic Logic of Apartment Unit Designs

Abstract

In this study, we discuss the unique characteristics of apartment unit plan design in Korea, which we assume to have been influenced by economic logic. This research is based on two basic approaches in looking at the apartment: first is from the functional approach that an apartment is a “home” where people live; and second is from an economic approach of viewing an apartment as property with economic value. This study focuses on how the unit design of apartments in Korea has evolved, and how use value and exchange value have influenced this change. Use value is related to the characteristics an apartment has as a “home” while the exchange value is related to its characteristics as property. For the purpose of this study, “Effective Area” is suggested as a conceptual parameter for the description of use-exchange value of the apartment. It is argued that the use value and exchange value have produced specific physical characteristics in the unit plan: the predominance of the living room-centered unit plan over the bedroom cluster; the prevalence of the stair type building apartment over corridor types; the emergence of wrapping balconies; and the reduction of closet areas in the unit plan. These characteristics are the results from the dominance of the exchange value in plan design, and do not always enhance the use value of the housing. © 2004, Architectural Institute of Japan. All rights reserved.