The Wattled-Wall House of Salar People and Its Conservation and Development

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This paper is an interesting documentation of tradition that is nearly lost. It is timely and a well thought out study, However in the paper, the methodology is not very clearly described. The discussion part should include a discussion on how this traditional technology could respond to the modern requirement and how this technology / tradition could merged with the 21dst centuries way of living. How will the use of plant as building material will work in present condition, where deforestation is a big issue? This kind of questions need to raised and discussed. It should be also responded in the conclusion section. The concussion also need s to very focused.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

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Comments for author File: Comments.zip

Reviewer 3 Report

Dear authors,

Thank you very much for your interesting  manuscript. 

Please find below some comments:

On page 3, paragraph 99 and on

You mention open-ended and semi-structured interviews. Would it be possible to elaborate more on the size of the sample, the duration of the interview, the type questions? and the reaction of the interviewees?

on page 6, pargaraph 201-204, you state:

"Additionally, the weak ideology is an important reason 
why the Salar people have reduced their recognition of their own culture. The younger generation of Salar people has not realized the cultural importance and the advantages of the traditional walled-wall house".

is this a weak ideology or lack of awareness and enhancement of the local cultural heritage?

On page 7, paragraph 2016-217, you state

"The women do not usually get involved in actual house construction but occasionally collect grass and water".

This is in terms of skills and construction. How about the intangible aspects? are women for example narrating stories to the children related to the traditional houses, the oral history "storytelling aspect" is to be considered as an intangible heritage.

On page 8, paragraph 240 SWOT analysis:

Usually the Strenghths and Weaknesses are internal factors, is the lack of relevant laws and regulations an internal weakness? 

On page 11, paragraph 317-321, you state:

"Building is one of the most important fields to address energy saving, emission re-duction, and climate change. Facing the challenge of climate change, the development of green buildings is very important [20, 21]. Therefore, Salar people used natural materials to build a highly regional, energy-saving, and environmentally friendly wattled-wall"

The wattled-wall houses existed before climate change, please re-phrase.

On page 11, paragraph 346...

Would it be possible to elaborate also on the fact that "the Salar communities are located in Mengda National Nature Reserve, where the natural material gathering is illegal"

Is there a way for local people to collect the needed materials? maybe in certian seasons of the year? 

General comments: 

-You mention local craftmanship, it would be interesting to describe these local skills related to each element of the house.

-relevant reference: 

Julia Watson. Lo—TEK. Design by Radical Indigenism

Author Response

See attachment, please.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx