Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)
'Gudamjeongsa House is located in the river front where you can see Nakdonggang River Gudamseupji (marsh) and is surrounded by a low mountain -- a cozy historic house where you can look up the sky. Originally, the house was a residence of the Andong Branch of the descendants of Gwangsan Kim’s Clan. Note, however, that Gwon Ohchun, head of a Korean traditional culture center, has acquired and remodeled and opened it in May 2010 for the public to experience this old family hanok house. It’s a quiet place where you can enjoy the nature of the Andong area.
Its "ㅁ"-shaped structure with a courtyard is preserved as its original Hanok structure, but the tiled roof and rectangular stone below the stylobate were newly built. Each connected floor offers access to each room. While preserving the original features of hanok, some elements outside the hanok are new to the house such as the wall between the courtyard of the Anchae and the courtyard of the Sarangchae and a tall gate. The grassy courtyard is decorated with garden rocks and bonsai trees.
Gudamjeongsa House's structure has a specific feature of having the courtyard, Anchae, Bakkatchae, and backyard all connected in a neat hill. The Bakkatchae has a patio type with high maru (wood floor), where guests can enjoy the scenery and a relaxing time, whereas the Anchae has a main room (Anbang) that used to be a family living space.
The Anmadang in between the buildings is a square shape with empty ceiling, which helps circulate air and enhance the light
access in the space.
The courtyard, Anchae, and Anmadang situated inside the ㅁ-shaped structure form a triple composition of natural, artificial, and artificial-natural spaces. In general, the hanok house doesn’t have a courtyard covered with grass because it makes the house damp, but this house has one since the rectangular stone below the stylobate has elevated the house.
Due to its characteristics as a hanok building, i.e., well-ventilated in summer since it has many doors and windows, Gudamjeongsa House has no air conditioner; in winter, however, the rooms are heated by putting wood on the furnace and guests can experience the heated floor of the room with the Korean-style heating system (ondol).
Gudamjeongsa House provides traditional Korean dining that includes pickled wild greens of Siberian ginseng, mulberry leaves, and dandelion, grilled Andong mackerel, and side dishes without using artificial seasonings, prepared by the owner and loved by guests.
