A Study On The Gray Space Of SHANXI

ShanXi’s deep cultural heritage,diverse natural conditions and ethnic identity have contributed to the diversity of traditional ShanXi dwellings,and this diversity is particularly evident in the ’grey space’ of ShanXi’s traditional dwellings.The essence of architecture is the organisation of space,and the form of grey space is most closely linked to human interaction and best reflects the interrelationship between the various spaces of architecture.Therefore,the focus of this paper is on the ’grey space’ in the interior space of traditional ShanXi houses.Although the explicit concept of grey space was introduced in recent times,it has long been used extensively in traditional Chinese architecture.For example,the gateways,courtyards and corridors of traditional Chinese houses all have typical grey space characteristics.In this paper,we firstly analyse and interpret the concept of ’grey space’ and define the’grey space’ in traditional residential houses,so as to clarify the specific scope of the ’grey space’ in traditional residential houses in ShanXi."The paper then analyses the specific carriers and spatial forms of "grey space" in the three major areas of GuanZhong,Southern ShanXi and Northern ShanXi,and analyses the "grey space" of traditional residential houses in ShanXi around the influencing factors.On the basis of the previous research,the important characteristics of the grey space of traditional dwellings in ShanXi are summarised,and the inspiration of the grey space form of traditional dwellings for the design of contemporary dwelling spaces is concluded.Finally,the design examples are combined to discuss how the heritage and design of contemporary dwellings can perpetuate and innovate the value of the’grey space’ in traditional dwellings in ShanXi.In the current stressful society,people’s demands on architecture have long been not only functional but also spiritual,so we should pay more attention to and explore the function and value of grey space.