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Environmental Features of Chinese Architectural Heritage: The Standardization of Form in the Pursuit of Equilibrium with Nature

Author

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  • Jose-Manuel Almodovar-Melendo

    (School of Architecture and the Faculty of East Asian Studies, University of Seville, 41012 Sevilla, Spain)

  • Joseph-Maria Cabeza-Lainez

    (School of Architecture and the Faculty of East Asian Studies, University of Seville, 41012 Sevilla, Spain)

Abstract

We present a scientific discussion about Chinese historical architecture and cultural paradigms in order to analyze the formation of building patterns objectively connected to environmental features. In this regard, we will demonstrate the process of standardization from architectural modules related in different levels of composition around “voids”, onto cosmological urban tissues in harmony with nature. The conclusions show that we can only understand Chinese architectural patterns in relation to Dào or nature, and in turn, they possess profound social and environmental values from which we receive useful lessons to advance towards sustainability in architecture and urban planning. The authors believe that it is critical for China and the world to find a new approach to the building construction industry with an ecological and philosophical background recognizable as “Chinese” and based in its own past. In order to support the information provided in the first part of the article, the authors have conducted an environmental analysis of the traditional Chinese urban layout whose results greatly confirm the initial hypotheses, i.e. the historical fashion of constructing neighborhoods improves conditions of the town in terms of comfort and is able to save energy, thus reducing pernicious change effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Jose-Manuel Almodovar-Melendo & Joseph-Maria Cabeza-Lainez, 2018. "Environmental Features of Chinese Architectural Heritage: The Standardization of Form in the Pursuit of Equilibrium with Nature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-19, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:7:p:2443-:d:157700
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shanwen Zheng & Baolong Han & Dang Wang & Zhiyun Ouyang, 2018. "Ecological Wisdom and Inspiration Underlying the Planning and Construction of Ancient Human Settlements: Case Study of Hongcun UNESCO World Heritage Site in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-19, April.
    2. Jose Maria Cabeza Lainez, 2012. "Solar Radiation in Buildings, Transfer and Simulation Procedures," Chapters, in: Elisha B. Babatunde (ed.), Solar Radiation, IntechOpen.
    3. Andrea De Lieto Vollaro & Giuseppe De Simone & Roberto Romagnoli & Andrea Vallati & Simone Botillo, 2014. "Numerical Study of Urban Canyon Microclimate Related to Geometrical Parameters," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(11), pages 1-12, November.
    4. Manuela Madeddu & Xiaoqing Zhang, 2017. "Harmonious spaces: the influence of Feng Shui on urban form and design," Journal of Urban Design, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(6), pages 709-725, November.
    5. Hong Jin & Zheming Liu & Yumeng Jin & Jian Kang & Jing Liu, 2017. "The Effects of Residential Area Building Layout on Outdoor Wind Environment at the Pedestrian Level in Severe Cold Regions of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-18, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jose-Manuel Almodovar-Melendo & Joseph-Maria Cabeza-Lainez & Inmaculada Rodriguez-Cunill, 2018. "Lighting Features in Historical Buildings: Scientific Analysis of the Church of Saint Louis of the Frenchmen in Sevilla," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-23, September.
    2. Francisco Salguero Andujar & Inmaculada Rodriguez-Cunill & Jose M. Cabeza-Lainez, 2019. "The Problem of Lighting in Underground Domes, Vaults, and Tunnel-Like Structures of Antiquity; An Application to the Sustainability of Prominent Asian Heritage (India, Korea, China)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-21, October.
    3. Joseph Cabeza-Lainez & Jose-Manuel Almodovar-Melendo & Ismael Dominguez, 2019. "Daylight and Architectural Simulation of the Egebjerg School (Denmark): Sustainable Features of a New Type of Skylight," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-14, October.
    4. Joseph Cabeza-Lainez & Jose-Manuel Almodovar-Melendo & Inmaculada Rodríguez-Cunill, 2022. "The Search for Sustainable Architecture in Asia in the Oeuvre of Antonin Raymond: A New Attunement with Nature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-22, August.
    5. Qi Liu & Zaiyi Liao & Yongfa Wu & Dagmawi Mulugeta Degefu & Yiwei Zhang, 2019. "Cultural Sustainability and Vitality of Chinese Vernacular Architecture: A Pedigree for the Spatial Art of Traditional Villages in Jiangnan Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-27, December.
    6. Inmaculada Rodriguez-Cunill & Miguel Gutierrez-Villarrubia & Francisco Salguero-Andujar & Joseph Cabeza-Lainez, 2021. "Sustainability in Early Modern China through the Evolution of the Jesuit Accommodation Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-25, October.
    7. Yuheng Chen & Yanming Wu & Xueyun Sun & Naubada Ali & Qi Zhou, 2023. "Digital Documentation and Conservation of Architectural Heritage Information: An Application in Modern Chinese Architecture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-23, April.

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