Topological Transitions in Collective Housing Units of South Korea

Collective housing in South Korea started its introduction from the early 1960s, and became the most important residential type in 50 years. Because of the importance of collective housing in many countries and in South Korea, many studies on collective housing have been conducted. Although these studies can provide criteria and methods quantitatively and objectively, classification of types is dependent on researcher’s judgment, and classification of type without considering the plan’s time of creation has a limitation to derive changes in type patterns. The purpose of this study is to analyze changes quantitatively and objectively in patterns of spatial structure and to derive types of spatial structure of collective housing in South Korea algorithmically using a time-based joining method that produced a phylogenetic tree using similarities of spatial structure and plan creation time. This study also supports a research frame for researchers who want the use of a time-based joining method. The study analyzed the relationships of changes in spatial structures of 890 collective housing unit plans in Seoul, South Korea, constructed from 1970 to 2015.