Vernacular Participatory Designs: The Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Housing Scene in South Korea

Abstract

This article analyzes cases of do-it-yourself (DIY) homes in South Korea in terms of the role of architects in today’s information society. Some South Koreans have started to seek residential options that reflect their personal tastes and particularized lifestyles. With the development of digital technologies and widening access to computer programming tools, technology-savvy South Koreans have started to design and construct their own homes. This article explores the emerging DIY housing movement to see whether its participatory nature enhances individual agency and how the movement may influence the professional field of architecture. Contrary to the commonly held notion, this article concludes that the role of architects is unlikely to diminish in the context of a rising number of DIY homes. Although the possibility of neoliberal co-optation exists, the rise of DIY homes presents an opportunity for architects to play an enhanced role in promoting community empowerment.