The most distinctive feature that differentiates Korean houses from those of other countries would be ondol and its derivatives. Ondol is a unique floor heating system consisting of underfloor flues connected to the furnace. Even the modern alterations of Korean housing are highly influenced by the improvement of ondol. [...] This book introduces English readers to the history of the Korean house through several time periods: from the ancient to the modern periods. It also overviews the future of Korean housing in transition from a patrilineal society to a nuclear-family-based society, or the status of apartments serving as the representative Korean housing type.
