Case Studies and Implications of Residential Building's Balcony Standards on COVID-19 Era

ABSTRACT

This study seeks to overcome COVID-19 and re-examine the balcony as a new, differentiated residential space that requires change in the coming post-corona era. In this study, theoretical considerations on the concept and definition of the balcony and the original purpose and function are reviewed. This study compares and analyzes standards and cases for open balconies that can function as private outdoor spaces in Korea and major foreign countries. The key results of this study are as follows. First, while in Korea, the system is operated to install an open balcony as one of the specialized measures in terms of urban landscape, overseas, the system is designed to perform the original function of the balcony, such as a comfortable living environment and space for evacuation that it is operating. Second, while in Korea, the scale of installation of balconies is limited through regulations that exclude the inclusion of floor area, in overseas countries, specific standards for the shape of open balconies, such as the protruding width and length, are prepared. As a follow-up to this study, institutional research should be conducted to specify the standard for the shape and size of external balconies, and safety and performance standards. © 2021 Architectural Institute of Korea.