So Swe Won

Location:    South Korea,  Jeollanam-do,  Damyang-gun,   Nam-myeon,  Jigok-ri  123 

Date Built:  1530's (1536 as recorded in a poem - Josun Dynasty)

Size:  approx. 5,000 sq m (entire complex)

Owner/Commissioner:  Yang San-Bo

Architect/Team:  Unknown


Regional Map

Picture
Jeollanam-do

Local Map

Drawings & Photos:

Description:
  • One of most revered traditional architecture in Korea for its balance of man-made structure and its original landscape/natural garden (Won Lim) - i.e. hand-carved log diverting natural stream in to a man-made pond
  • Thick bamboo forest approach opens to a small valley of stream with three structures set on three different elevations
  • Subtle entry - no entry gate but a stone wall that creates a fork in the road - the public road continues to the right while the private road veers gently to the left
  • Three structures occupy the valley: The first encountered is a humble thatch-roof structure called Dae Bong Dae - mainly used to receive and screen visitors.  The second structure called Gwang Poong Gahk is located at the heart of the valley - a one room, radiant-floor heated pavilion with one solid wall in the back and three operable doors that lift up to the roof; it is the main gathering and entertaining space.  Third structure called Jae Wol Dahng, sleeping quarter is set on high ground surrounded by stone walls for added privacy. 
  • It is said that there were two other structures that were built by the descendants of Yang San-Bo, its original owner, but they no longer exist.
  • Service quarters and kitchen were located across the street, now it houses current caretaker of the place
  • This complex was not a typical house but all-year-around retreat/study.
  • Gwang Poong Gahk, the one room pavilion, provided experience of being suspended in nature carefully choreographing the seasonal change, sound, light, shadow, rain and snow
  • According to the writings of the visitors, it seems that the complex was used more by the guests than the owner
  • Yang San Bo, its original owner, built this complex as a place of early retirement and reflection after witnessing the execution of his teacher, a high government official named Jo Gwang Jo, the right-hand man to King Jung Jong 
  • Jo Gwang Jo's attempt to clean up corruption among elites led his opponents to frame him, convincing the king that Jo Gwang Jo was ultimately after the throne 
  • Feeling betrayed, King Jung Jong ordered the execution of Jo Gwang Jo in 1519
  • "Literary Purge" soon followed - also known as Ki Myo Sa Hwa - a mass execution of the scholars that were believed to be associated with Jo Gwang Jo
  • Spared and surviving scholars fled Seoul to remote countrysides and retired from government
  • Numerous private retreats, studies, and pavilions were built to cultivate the minds and to mentor future leaders
  • Dahm Yang became a popular place for many well-known scholars to gather and foster poetry and literature giving birth to culture known as Ga Sah Mun Hak
  • Among 30 or more pavilions that were built around that time, So Swe Won was favored by most due to its delicate balance of nature and the man-made


References:

Kim, Bong-Ryeol.   Spaces of Wisdom and Life:  Rediscovery of Korean Architectural History Ser. 2.  Seoul, South Korea: Yi Sang Gun Chook, 1999. p. 46~75.

Cheon, Deuk Yeom.  The Most Beautiful Garden in Korea, Soshaewon.  Seoul, South Korea:  Bal Un, 1993.