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How Has the Pandemic Reshaped Our Living Spaces? Architectural Strategies and Planning Elements from South Korea’s Apartment Design Competitions
1
School of Architecture, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
2
School of Building Construction, College of Design, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
3
School of Architecture, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
*
For correspondence.
Academic Editor:
Received: 26 June 2025 Accepted: 27 November 2025 Published: 23 December 2025
Abstract
This study investigates the architectural responses within South Korean apartment housing in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on residential units. Since 2020, the pandemic has had a substantial impact on residential spaces, resulting in increased time spent at home, a heightened awareness of personal hygiene, and greater household supply needs associated with self-quarantine. This study analyzes spatial changes in residential unit design by examining proposals submitted to architectural competitions in South Korea that specifically addressed design responses to the pandemic. The analysis is structured around 1) planning elements directly suggested in the design proposals, 2) spatial changes corresponding to unit size, and 3) modifications centered on individual rooms within units. The most frequently proposed planning elements for residential spaces are then identified. Based on this, the study determines the needs of most people in residential spaces and the required planning elements for each area and room according to apartment type and room. The results provide strategic insights into enhancing hygiene, convenience, and spatial efficiency in living environments. This highlights the need for flexible spatial adaptations to maintain safe and comfortable living conditions amidst unpredictable future health crises.
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Copyright © 2025
Song et al. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use and distribution provided that the original work is properly cited.
Funding
This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Cite this Article
Song, G.-w., Yang, E., & Yoon, C.-J. (2025). How Has the Pandemic Reshaped Our Living Spaces? Architectural Strategies and Planning Elements from South Korea’s Apartment Design Competitions. Highlights of Sustainability, 4(4), 299–328. https://doi.org/10.54175/hsustain4040018
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