More Than a Greenhouse
Name of Building: Grand Greenhouse of Changgyeonggung
Architect: Fukuba Hayato (福羽逸人), Hanri Martnet
Year of Completion: 1909
Materials: Steel, Wood, Glass
Location: Hoowon Area of Changgyeonggung Palace
The Grand Greenhouse of Changgyeonggung is a western-style greenhouse within the Joseon-era palace complex of Changgyeonggung. The structure was built during a time of heavy Japanese influence on Korea, only a year before the annexation of Korea into the Empire of Japan. European architects, specifically Hanri Martnet and his company, were commissioned to build the greenhouse along with Japanese ones, allowing for the construction of a western-style greenhouse with European styles of architecture. The greenhouse originally housed many exotic plants from both Korea and elsewhere, especially from tropical regions due to Korea’s temperate climate.
The greenhouse, although not the first in East Asia, was the first western-style building in all of Korea when it was completed in 1909. Continually, some scholars may also argue that the greenhouse was the largest in Asia at the time of its completion. The construction of this building shows the beginning of westernisation of Korea following its isolation during the Joseon dynasty, as foreign influences began to make their way into Korea. Similarly, this building can also be interpreted as a warning symbol for the upcoming Japanese annexation of Korea, as, some may argue, the building was built to deprecate the Korean family’s image by making their royal palaces into simple entertainment venues. The mere existence of this building can show both the good and ugly sides of westernisation, as it can represent progress into the modern era, but also show how industrialised powers took advantage of less industrialised nations (i.e Japan.)
Despite its design being nearly identical to those of Europe, the greenhouse truly makes itself stand out among other greenhouses of a similar design by its location. Unlike other greenhouses, which, at the time were limited to industrialised countries, the Grand Greenhouse of Changgyeonggung exists in the most exclusive areas of Korea, which are the palaces that house the royal family. The isolationist policies of Korea often prevented the introduction of modern European culture, inhibiting the construction of European-style buildings within its lands, let alone its palaces. However, by having been built in these centres of Korean power, the greenhouse is able to stand as an example of how Western ideas made their way into Korea, rather than just being a building to store valuable plants.
This building, as explained in prior paragraphs, is shown to hold significant historical value to Korea, while still being relatively unknown by the Korean public. Sources on this building were scarce and far and few between, meaning that the building was far from famous. However, I believed that this building held a lot more significance, inducing me into writing about the building in order to allow for a more widespread understanding of this building among the public.
Currently, the building is protected by the Korean government as a valuable heritage site. It was restored in 2004 and put on the register of historic buildings as no. 84 the same year.
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