Classification of traditional houses

1. Types of residential buildings in China

There are many kinds of houses in China. Mr. Liu Dunzhen wrote in >: According to the plane form, the book divides the dwellings into nine types, among which the horizontal rectangular dwellings are the basic form, with bright and symmetrical middle, and three of them are the most common. Siheyuan is widely distributed in China, with Beijing being the most typical. Cave dwellings (see photo) are located in the Loess Plateau in China, which has little rain. There are separate caves along the cliff, adobe or masonry arch caves, patio caves, and various ethnic minority houses.

Cave in northern Shaanxi

The national culture and tradition of China folk houses.

The various forms and features of China folk houses show the complex interaction and influence among many factors. The obvious differences between local houses are due to different geographical and climatic conditions, different local materials and traditional building techniques and methods, different environments, differences in characteristics and economic conditions brought about by defense requirements, and the influence of religious factors on architectural forms. We can see the multi-ethnic characteristics of China folk houses. Mongolian yurts, Tibetans, Koreans, Uighurs, southwest ethnic minorities and Hakka houses in Fujian and Guangdong. , have strongly demonstrated the traditional features and customs of all ethnic groups. Religious belief also affects the plane form, spatial arrangement and orientation of houses.

As long as the material conditions and social orientation have changed, its original meaning no longer exists, but the traditional form suitable for future generations has been inherited.

3. The layout of residential buildings in China.

The traditional folk houses in China are characterized by clear streamline, complete pattern, obvious main building, architectural combination and gradual changes in levels.

Clear streamline is like a guiding picture drawn in people's minds, which naturally guides people to where they want to go. For example, in a historic city like Beijing, the city is divided into several main areas, such as Dongpu Sipailou, Xisibao, Dongdan and Xidan. Each area has a main street, a middle street and a small street. The street passes through an alley, which is the door of home, and the streamline is distinct.

(2) The pattern is the relationship composition of organizing building groups. The Sanhe Courtyard and Siheyuan in China's residential buildings are introverted family aggregates with courtyards as the center, and the architectural composition has a rigorous square pattern. Looking at the relationship between buildings alone, it is a symmetrical layout around the vertical and horizontal axes; Looking at the courtyard space alone, it also has its own complete pattern; Looking at the eaves gallery, corner gallery, courtyard wall and hanging flower door which are interconnected between buildings, they are also self-contained. Therefore, a complete residential building, regardless of size, has formed a rigorous and clear pattern.

(3) The main building controls the road network and other ancillary buildings in the city, and residents want their community to have a clear sign. When a group of buildings or a part of a building is the main body, it forms the core part of a village, town, building or family residence. For example, pagodas, temples or theaters in traditional villages and towns in China, and living rooms or halls in houses. It is necessary to carefully select the central part of the building combination. As the main building, people's life or activities are arranged in the most important axial part, with a tall roof and conspicuous external volume. For example, in Tibetan houses, it is often placed on the roof; Among the houses in Hebei, the main hall and the hall are the largest in the whole courtyard; In Fujian Tulou, the main building has a conspicuous double-eaved roof, and the main building is very clear and prominent.

④ The traditional houses in China not only pay attention to the layout change of the assembly itself, but also pay attention to the division and connection between streets, squares and courtyards, and arrange the architectural community assembly with social life content in blocks. These combinations can show the idea of organizing the socialization of neighborhood life. In low-density areas, the building combination can be composed of cloisters, paths, small bridges, flower stands and small houses connected by fences. In high-density areas, a single building itself should be treated as a combination. Even in a small house, the internal relationship of the homestead can also be considered as the combination of the mutual relationship of each room.

⑤ The layout of the building depends on the degree of public use, forming a layered layout, and arranging the house according to the intimate relationship between people. In residential buildings, this gradually layered layout is needed, from public to private. If we don't consider the gradual level and list many rooms together, we can't reflect the communication relationship between society and family life. Therefore, when planning and decorating the house, we should create such a gradual level, from the public part of the porch to the semi-public part, and finally to the most private part.

Second, the status quo of China folk houses

The traditional architecture system in China is mainly residential, and its types are based on it. Under the influence of feudal ethics, the traditional buildings in China are all wooden structures, which are all based on courtyards. The rapid development of building materials today vividly reflects this point in urban architectural creation. Traditional building materials are challenged in many ways, and various structural frame materials have affected rural areas far away from cities. In newly-built farmhouses, traditional houses are rarely seen, only "old houses" can be seen. In recent years, due to the development of construction industry, the relationship between rural areas and cities is also very close. The development of urban architecture has changed the traditional architectural style left over for many years, and replaced it with a "new house" composed of "square boxes" with brick-concrete structure, losing the spirit and culture of architecture.

The contradictory movement between local architecture and local nature, social culture and other factors itself needs and produces the unique architectural forms and styles in this area. It is often said that the development of regionalism architecture should be based on traditional folk houses, so traditional folk houses are the "roots" of regionalism architecture. The new rural housing is dominated by "square box", which is the result of the existence of historical nihilism. Although these are in line with the pace of today's architecture, there is no innovation in culture. Instead, it obliterates the traditional national culture. Jingzhi Xu pointed out that "the ancient modeling with smooth curves and beautiful shapes will be the basis for China to use new materials and new structures for architectural creation in the future". Under the impact of highly developed architectural technology, the traditional folk houses in China are gradually forgotten. Folk houses play an important role in ancient urban architecture and can become the direct landscape resources of the city. Therefore, in many cities, especially historical cities, urban planning includes special planning for the protection of historical blocks and ancient buildings. However, in the great development of the 1990s, the so-called "point, line and surface" protection mode in the city was destroyed, and only some urban islands listed as cultural relics were kept. More and more "new" houses gradually changed the traditional houses and destroyed the quaint and natural architectural style left over from the tradition. This phenomenon reflects that people ignore the influence of traditional culture on folk houses.

Architecture should adapt to its natural environment, social culture and human consciousness. The soul of human development is culture, and architecture itself is the embodiment of social spiritual civilization and material civilization, which directly or indirectly affects people's production and life.

The spirit and culture of traditional folk houses should be inherited and developed, and they should also be given life and vitality to make them truly safe and comfortable, adapt to the environment and be convenient to use. Architectural culture is not closed, but the product of inheritance, creation and continuation. We should learn the traditional culture of our nation and absorb the essence of foreign countries in architectural creation.