Abstract
In this study, design characteristics of Village Parks in Seoul are investigated through an analysis of structuring themes expressed in spatial design. The goals and objectives of this study are: to emphasize the significance of design themes; and to demonstrate an approach to the design of landscapes through an analysis of structuring themes. For conducting this study, geometric forms and naturalistic forms were examined first. That is, the following 15 structuring themes were examined, as guiding themes: the 90$^{\circ}$rectangular theme; the 45$^{\circ}$/90$^{\circ}$angular theme; the 30$^{\circ}$/60$^{\circ}$ angular theme; circles on circle; concentric circles and radii; arcs and tangents; circle segments; the ellipse; the spiral; the meander; the free ellipse and scallops; the free spiral; the irregular polygon; the organic edge; and clustering and fragmentation. Forty five Village Parks in Seoul, built between 1996 and 1997, were analyzed through these 15 structuring themes. An analysis of Village Parks was conducted by the following two categories: land shape and structuring themes; and design directions and structuring themes. The research results are as follows; 1) Geometric forms are more frequently applied than naturalistic forms. 2) Regardless of land shape, geometric forms derived from simple primary shapes, the square and the circle, are frequently used. And the meander and the irregular polygon among naturalistic forms are frequently used. 3) Regarding design directions and structuring themes, design concepts, symbolic meanings and spatial forms are, to some degree, integrated. 4) The spiral is not applied among geometric forms. And the meander and the irregular polygon, as naturalistic forms, are frequently utilized. Research findings obtained from this study could be used in the designing of future Village Parks. For a profound study, future, research is needed in two-dimensional plans and three-dimensional elements of Village Parks.