Dwelling as a cultural phenomenon

Abstract

Two new courtyard housing models for single families are proposed on a site in the heart of Beijing to accommodate the increase of population density and the change of life style in the city in the recent decades while maintaining the cultural essence of the traditional local dwelling--Siheyuan. The design proposals are proceeded by an analysis of Siheyuan in terms of familial structure, spatial organization, and current conditions as well as a brief account of the evolution of housing types in Beijing from 1950's to present.