▲ Myeongjang Changho Workshop / Master Ga Gook-poong

Traditional Korean windows and doors are not only about windows and doors but philosophy of how our ancestors saw things. Unlike neighboring China and Japan, our ancestors created unique patterns and frames for windows and doors without using nails or glues. 

These master craftsmanship are still alive to this day and they are making them in the way our ancestors did. They take into account importance of natural patterns of wood, amount of light and circulation of air. 

They are not many compared to olden days but their high taste for esthetic value often makes modern windows and door constructors today small. It is encouraging that there are people in apartment buildings wanting to make windows and doors like the traditional for health and esthetic reasons. 

"Korean windows and doors and papers are designed to automatically adjust temperature and moisture in the air. Unlike western ones, they enliven the pleasures of seeing, hearing and touching" says Ga Gook-poong, a Korean windows and doors master.

Ga was born in Seosan City, South Chungcheong Province. He went to Seoul at 19 and has lived as a carpenter ever since. He obtained a certificate in 1972 and passed the Skills Test in 1997. He listed his name in the New Intellectuals 2000, registered to cultural asset in wood furniture making (No.2834) and finally to Korean windows and doors master (No.04-14) in 2004.

Never went to school, he self studied to pass high school and university qualification exams in his late years. He majored in interior at Sunghwa University. He obtained a patent (No.0436520) with his work 'inlaid door on wood with tree ring' which took 10 years of research and hard work.

At his workshop, he hung his samples on 100 kinds of Korean trees on the wall. The samples are being displayed in museums and schools on donation at the moment. He wrote "Let Us Love Our Trees" above the samples's table.