Beijing Siheyuan Building (Courtyard Houses)
In Northern China, one major characteristic of the traditional residential houses is the courtyard, which is the center of the house. A courtyard house is built on the basic principle of having a firm, solid exterior blend in with a vacant, spacious interior. The house is constructed on an invisible axis, around which the different functional rooms are built.
Beijing's courtyard houses (siheyuan) were predominantly situated within the capital city. Its architectural structure fit perfectly into the official model that was typical in the capital, which deemed it necessary to fulfill certain religious and moral principles that were essential to maintaining order in a traditional family.
A typical Beijing courtyard house has an invisible north-south axis in the layout of the house. The main gate of the house is placed at the southeastern corner of the house. In accordance with the principles of feng shui and the Eight Diagrams, this is considered the most auspicious direction and could bring wealth to the household. Upon entering the house, one is greeted by an exquisitely crafted screen wall, which was supposed to ward off evil spirits. It also helps in creating space and maintaining one's privacy, meeting feudal family's requirements on privacy and introverted psychological characteristics.
To the west of the main gate is a small and narrow front yard. To the south of the courtyard are the living room, study, accounts room and storage room. To the north of the front yard is the second and inner gate of the compound, which is also situated along the axis. The two festoon pillars hanging on both sides are exquisitely carved with elaborate floral designs, making it the most prominent design element in the entire courtyard compound.
About the book
Chinese Architecture Written by Cai Yanxin Published by China Intercontinental Press, Beijing, 2018
In Northern China, one major characteristic of the traditional residential houses is the courtyard, which is the center of the house. A courtyard house is built on the basic principle of having a firm, solid exterior blend in with a vacant, spacious interior. The house is constructed on an invisible axis, around which the different functional rooms are built.
Beijing's courtyard houses (siheyuan) were predominantly situated within the capital city. Its architectural structure fit perfectly into the official model that was typical in the capital, which deemed it necessary to fulfill certain religious and moral principles that were essential to maintaining order in a traditional family.
A typical Beijing courtyard house has an invisible north-south axis in the layout of the house. The main gate of the house is placed at the southeastern corner of the house. In accordance with the principles of feng shui and the Eight Diagrams, this is considered the most auspicious direction and could bring wealth to the household. Upon entering the house, one is greeted by an exquisitely crafted screen wall, which was supposed to ward off evil spirits. It also helps in creating space and maintaining one's privacy, meeting feudal family's requirements on privacy and introverted psychological characteristics.
To the west of the main gate is a small and narrow front yard. To the south of the courtyard are the living room, study, accounts room and storage room. To the north of the front yard is the second and inner gate of the compound, which is also situated along the axis. The two festoon pillars hanging on both sides are exquisitely carved with elaborate floral designs, making it the most prominent design element in the entire courtyard compound.
About the book
Chinese Architecture Written by Cai Yanxin Published by China Intercontinental Press, Beijing, 2018
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