The impact of geomorphological factors on the distribution of typical dwellings in northern China

Abstract

Traditional settlements and dwellings, as an important part of the Chinese architecture culture, not only embody the ecological philosophy of the harmonious coexistence of the architecture and nature, but also reflect the technical wisdom and experience of traditional craftsmen. They prove a treasure for studying the native green thoughts and architectural technologies. Studying traditional settlements based on natural environmental factors such as the climate, landform, etc. is a process that explores the essential elements of the regional characters and reveals the genuine local connotation. By probing into the relations between the types of typical dwellings in northern China and natural factors such as the landform and climate, this study attempts to unveil the essential connotation of regional characters, pave the way for studies on the green technical elements of traditional dwellings, provide theoretical and practical support for the ever-advancing protection and development of traditional settlements, and offer some insights into developing regional architecture today. Focused on the architecture in northern China, this study compared and analysed the types and distribution pattern of dwellings in different climatic regions, architectural thermal zones, and geomorphological regions, and made a more detailed classification of the architectural types of courtyard houses based on previous studies on typical dwellings in northern China. Specifically, quadrangle courtyards were further classified into the Beijing-Hebei type, the Shanxi-Shaanxi type, and the Manchu type. Moreover, a distribution mapping of typical dwellings in northern China was drawn based on geomorphological regions. Building on this, a comprehensive case study was carried out and a distribution mapping of typical northern dwellings was drawn, paving the way for studies on the green technical elements of traditional dwellings, further revealing the close relationship between the local characteristics of dwellings and those of the natural environment, and presenting the typical value and local characteristic connotation of dwellings in different regions based on natural division.