Ondol/Kudŭl, the Korean Underfloor Heating System
Abstract
Ondol, derived from the Korean term kudŭl , is a traditional heating system unique to Korea. It involves heating stones beneath the floor via an external furnace, with warm air and smoke passing under the floor to provide even indoor warmth. Its standardised form emerged during the Koryŏ dynasty and became widely adopted in households by the late-Chosŏn period. Ondol not only ensured safety from fire and moisture but also supported the development of Korea’s floor-sitting lifestyle and Confucian spatial customs. Today, Ondol persists in a modernised form, through hot-water boiler-based floor heating systems commonly found in Korean homes.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Architecture and Cultural Influences
Building Energy and Comfort Optimization
Building energy efficiency and sustainability
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Routledge eBooks
- Pages
- 177–179
- Publication date
- 13 March 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter