Research On Pattern Of New Vernacular Dwellings In Guanzhong Rural Region Of Shaanxi Province

Traditional vernacular dwelling in Guanzhong Region, Shaanxi Province has many distinctive characteristics, as a result of profound regional historical and cultural accumulation. Due to the dramatic changes of society, the uniqueness of vernacular dwelling has become blurred in many aspects—from master layout plan, function spaces, construction technology, materials renew, energy saving, to cultural evolution and so on. Because of insufficient theoretical research and technology supports, while the local rural dwelling is transforming spantaneously, there are certain problems emerging. The vernacular dwelling tends to give up its ecological advantages, discard its cultrual tranditions, and aimlessly follow "fashion", the regional culture is lost in this process and the current situation is that the opportunities of further development co-exist with all these practical problems.This thesis use research method of cultural anthropology and multi-disciplinary overlapping to carry out a thorough investigation on traditional dwelling in Guanzhong region and tries to find its core elements. A typical Guanzhong dwelling is natural and gentle, regular and symmetrical, massive and sturdy. The narrow courtyard, the sloping roofs, the rammed earth wall, the heated Kang and earth stove, the natural ventilation, and the water cellar all complies with local climate, water and soil conditions, which is a crystallization of ancient ecological wisdoms. The lintel inscription, the screen wall, the bricks, stones and woodcarving, the Chinese scholar landscape are shaped eventually during thousands of years of Guanzhong history and are subtle expressions of regional culture. The traditional Guanzhong dwelling inherent genes and essences are still one of the most important aspects in local residential development in a modern age.Focusing on three major themes - modernization, ecology, and regionalization, the general goal of the thesis are integration, inheritance and innovation. The design and design methods of new vernacular dwelling are discussed from different perspectives such as landuse and spatial planning, suitable technology, regional culture. Through conversations on modernization of new vernacular dwelling space based on study of traditional enclosed architectural space, ecological utilization of it supported by modern architectural and construction technology, cultural and social continuity of it based on exploration of local life pattern and its modern changes, this thesis targets at achieving promotion of traditinal architectural space, renovated construction technology and cultural legacy, and an unification of form and meaning.The new vernacular dwelling pattern promoted in this thesis is basically discussed from three aspects, architectural space pattern, technical specification and regional language pattern. Talking about architectural spatial model, based on a systematical anlysis on the modern rural life pattern and its recent changes, firstly, space models of two-Fen, two-and-half-Fen, and three-Fen are categorized after comprehensive consideration of landuse. Second, of the internal spacial configuration, the differentiation of living space, auxilliary spaces, service and production-supporting spaces is emphasised and the relevant architectural design requests are formulated. Meanwhile, various courtyards combinations and neighbourhood social spaces are also discussed here.Concerning about technology aspect, the thesis proposes some building materials and construction details, promotes the use of rammed earth, straw and other renewable resources.The reginal architectural language mainly refers to architecture form, material and its texture, human scale, which are all connected to Guanzhong regional conditions and resources. It is expected that with the application of traditional spatial enclosure and local architectural details in architectural design, the new vernacular dwelling building will become an evolution and renovation from traditional architecture.At the end of the thesis, several recent new vernacular dwelling projects are listed to discuss the possibility and feasibility of multi-dimensions innovation of new vernacular architecture design. To conclude, the research here might be not thorough and comprehensive enough, and waitting for further discussion and examination. However, the positive and massive practice study and exploration is the only way for the healthy and sturdy development of new vernacular dwelling in Guanzhong Region.