Chinese Vernacular Dwellings

An illustrated introduction to traditional Chinese dwellings, considering their architecture, environmental setting and lifestyles of those inhabiting these distinctive homes.

Deqi Shan (Author)

9780521186674, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 25 August 2011

166 pages, 150 colour illus.
23 x 15.6 x 1.1 cm, 0.23 kg

China has one of the most ancient civilisations in the world, occupying a vast territorial expanse. This has led to great diversification in Chinese vernacular dwellings, rarely seen in the architecture of the world and reflecting a wide variety of different natural and cultural environments. In this illustrated introduction Shan Deqi explores a representative selection of traditional Chinese dwellings, considering their architecture, environmental setting and the lifestyles and customs of the people who inhabit these distinctive homes and have contributed to their development.

Introduction
1. Beijing quadrangle courtyards
2. Huizhou dwellings
3. Shaoxing riverside dwellings
4. Minxi clay buildings
5. Architectural novelty in the homeland of the overseas Chinese
6. Ganlan wooden houses and storm-tossed bridge
7. Ancient Lijiang streets
8. Tibetan watchtowers
Appendix: chronological table of the Chinese dynasties.

Subject Areas: Cultural studies [JFC], Asian history [HBJF], History of architecture [AMX], Architecture [AM]