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Study on Courtyard Residence and Cultural Sustainability: Reading Chinese Traditional Siheyuan through Space Syntax

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  • Bo-Xun Huang

    (Graduate School of Design, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Yunlin 64002, Taiwan
    College of Arts College of Landscape Architecture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350118, China)

  • Shang-Chia Chiou

    (Graduate School of Design, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Yunlin 64002, Taiwan)

  • Wen-Ying Li

    (Graduate School of Design, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Yunlin 64002, Taiwan
    College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Fujian University of Technology, Fuzhou 350118, China)

Abstract

The United Nations and local governments have supported a four-point sustainable development framework, including environmental responsibility, economic viability, social equity, and cultural vitality. This study is based on the theoretical framework of sustainability to study the traditional Chinese siheyuan residence. Space syntax attempts to explain how spatial structures express social or cultural significance, such as the hierarchical relationship and privacy in it. The main purposes of this study are: (1) To analyze the spatial topological layout of traditional siheyuans by using the space syntax theory, and thus deduce the cultural connotation embedded in traditional siheyuans; (2) to compare and analyze the spatial morphology and behavior patterns of traditional and modern houses; (3) to explore how to integrate courtyard features into contemporary design and promote cultural sustainability. This study expounds the concept and application of syntactic analysis, and the relationship between the syntactic attributes of specific buildings in a particular area, and the culture and life of the local people within that area. As time goes by, the spatial form of houses has changed. However, in terms of spatial allocation index, the significant difference between traditional residences and modern residences lies in the integration and equivalence of all spaces in residences. We can learn from the cultural values of traditional siheyuans, meaning “people-oriented”, to rationally design modern residences with cultural connotations.

Suggested Citation

  • Bo-Xun Huang & Shang-Chia Chiou & Wen-Ying Li, 2019. "Study on Courtyard Residence and Cultural Sustainability: Reading Chinese Traditional Siheyuan through Space Syntax," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:6:p:1582-:d:214178
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jingyu Zhang & Jingqiu Zhang & Shaolu Yu & Jiaying Zhou, 2018. "The Sustainable Development of Street Texture of Historic and Cultural Districts―A Case Study in Shichahai District, Beijing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-12, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jingying Song & Shichen Zhao & Jing Kong, 2023. "Residential Space Organization of the Inner Mongolia Earth Dwellings around the Yellow River Basin," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-21, October.
    2. Yueying Chen & Wenbin Wei, 2022. "Alterations of Historic Rural Landscape Based on the Multifunctional Approach: The Case of Coastal Fishing Villages in the Yangtze River Basin," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-26, June.
    3. Pablo Farías, 2021. "The Local Aspect in the Successful Brands in Latin America: Empirical Evidence of Its Prevalence, the Role of Local and Global Companies, and Its Effect on Consumers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-12, January.
    4. Xiaoxiao Rao & Junda Zhou & Kangle Ding & Jifeng Wang & Jiaqi Fu & Qinghong Zhu, 2022. "Research on the Cultural Tracing of the Patriarchal Clan System of Traditional Buildings in the Eastern Zhejiang Province, China, Based on Space Syntax: The Case Study of Huzhai in Shaoxing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-22, June.
    5. Kejie Cen & Xiaoxiao Rao & Zhuoxun Mao & Xiangyong Zheng & Dier Dong, 2023. "A Comparative Study on the Spatial Layout of Hui-Style and Wu-Style Traditional Dwellings and Their Culture Based on Space Syntax," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-22, August.

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