In prehistoric times, dwellings were crude, and tended to be similar in design the world over; they differed only in the availability of local building materials and the topography they had to adapt to. As the techniques of production improved, the styles of clothing, cuisine, transportation, etc. of different peoples gradually took on their own national colors and cultural characteristics. The same was true for the shelters that people built to dwell in, and a wide diversity of styles formed all over the world. Chinese residences, in particular, occupy a unique place in the history of world architecture.
Table of Contents
A Survey of Traditional Chinese Residences The Development of Traditional Chinese Residences
The Artistic Features of Traditional Chinese Residences Proper Layout: The Void Accompanied by the Solid Tranquil Interior Surrounded by Solid Walls, Displaying a Picturesque Tone Simplicity, Elegance and Connection Between Exterior and Interior Tasteful Decoration in Bright Colors Poetic and Melodious Beauty
Major Architectural Forms of Chinese Residences The Courtyard House of Beijing Residences in Qixian County, Shanxi Province Cave Dwellings Residential Buildings in southern Anhui Province Residential Buildings in the Southern Region of Rivers and Lakes Red-brick Dwellings in Quanzhou Earthen Buildings in Fujian Province Fortified compound in Southern Jiangxi Province The U-shaped Compounds of the Hakka Fortified Buildings in Kaiping Flagstone buildings in Guizhou Province Residential buildings of the Koreans Mongolian Yurts Residential buildings of the Uygurs Houses on Stilts Residential Buildings in Lijiang The Houses of the Bai Tibetan fortified Manor Houses Appendix Locations of Major Types of Chinese Residences
