How many forms of traditional Chinese residential architecture?

One, wooden frame courtyard type residence

This is the most important form of traditional Chinese residence, its number is large, widely distributed, for the Han, Manchu, Bai and other ethnic groups most people and other ethnic minorities in a part of the people use. This kind of residence is mainly a wooden frame house, in the main axis of the north-south direction to build the main hall or the main room, the main room in front of the left and right pair of building east and west rooms.

This form of housing is found in towns and villages all over the country, but is characterized by different natural conditions and lifestyles in each region. Among them, the courtyard house in Beijing is the representative of the courtyard house, forming a unique architectural style.

Two, "four water to the hall" type of residence

Jiangnan region of southern China, the name of the residence is many, the layout of the north with the "courtyard" is the same, but the courtyard is smaller, known as the patio, only for the purpose of drainage and lighting ("four water to the hall"), the layout of the house is the same as that in the north, only the courtyard is smaller, known as the patio, only for drainage and light ("four water to the hall"). The "four waters return to the hall" is the local name, meaning that the rainwater from the inner slope of each roof flows into the patio).

This kind of residence is often the main room of the first courtyard is the hall, the courtyard is slightly open, the hall is more open, and the inside and outside of the patio is connected. The houses in the next few courtyards are mostly buildings with deeper and smaller patios. The roofs are covered with small green tiles, and the interiors are paved with stone slabs to suit the warm and humid climate of Jiangnan.

Three, the big earth building

The big earth building is the Hakka people in western Fujian, China, living in a circle of buildings. Generally 3 to 4 floors, the highest is 6 floors, including the courtyard, can live more than 50 families.

There are halls, warehouses, barns, wells and other communal houses in the courtyard. This kind of residence is very defensive. Hakka people create unique architectural forms to protect their survival, which are still in use today.