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

Bo-Xun Huang, Shang-Chia Chiou and Wen-Ying Li
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Bo-Xun Huang: Graduate School of Design, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Yunlin 64002, Taiwan
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

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 6, 1-15

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.

Keywords: traditional siheyuan; cultural sustainability; space syntax (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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