Research on Strategies for the Contemporary Reconstruction of Korean Traditional Architecture Based on Collective Memory Theory

(Research Background and Purpose) With the urbanization rate increasing by more than 40% over the past 50 years, many traditional villages and historical streets have disappeared, resulting in a rupture in local identity and cultural continuity. Therefore, this study focuses on the loss of traditional architectural spaces caused by rapid urbanization and explores ways to preserve and reconstruct traditional Korean architecture from the perspective of collective memory. (Research Method) Based on Maurice Halbwachs’s theory of collective memory, this study assumes that traditional architecture is a key medium for maintaining community identity and cultural values. The mechanisms of memory preservation in traditional spaces were examined through literature analysis and case studies. By comprehensively analyzing spatial drawings, visual data, and archival documents on cases of preserving and reinterpreting traditional domestic architecture, the study derives design strategies through case-based analysis. (Results) A three-step strategy—“trace of memory, activation, and reproduction”—was proposed for the modern reconstruction of traditional architecture. It consists of “trace of memory” through the preservation of physical form, “activation of memory” through adaptive reuse and community participation, and “reproduction of memory” through spatial narratives and cultural symbols. The analysis confirmed that the value of traditional architecture lies not only in material preservation but also in the transmission of cultural memory and collective spirit. (Conclusion) This study proposes a sustainable methodology that bridges the past and present, offering a new direction for the modern utilization of traditional Korean architecture. It is expected to contribute to cultural sustainability and to the strengthening of the social functions of public spaces.