Search Results (2)

Tulou, Tubao, and Zhailu all belong to the same vernacular architectural defensive rammed earth dwellings in Fujian; however, because of the similarity of their earthen defensive functions and fortress architectural systems, they are easily confused by scholars and there is still a gap in distinguishing the in-depth differences between the three. For the first time, this article develops a proper architectural typology with a comparative analysis of five aspects (origin and prototype, plan and type, building function and settlement typology, structure type and construction technology, and ethical concept and settlement model) to distinguish their architectural features. We find that they have different architectural prototypes and plan types. Tubao is a defensive dwelling with a residential function, Tulou is a defensive dwelling with a residential function, and Zhailu is a dwelling that combines living and defense. They have six different structural types. Although Tulou has the simplest structure and the thinnest rammed earth wall, its construction technology is the best. Tubao and Zhailu have more clearly defined architectural levels than Tulou, and Tubao’s hierarchy is the most significant. Therefore, we prove that despite their similarities, they are different types of buildings. This study helps to provide a methodological guide for identifying other, similar buildings and serves as a manual for the restoration and sustainable development of defensive rammed earth dwelling. Full article

Ethics was used as a building code in ancient China, not only to guide the construction of cities and buildings but also to define a strict hierarchy of architectural characteristics. The Fujian Tubao is a unique vernacular architecture and defensive rammed earth dwelling in China. The existing research on architectural spatial characteristics from the perspective of traditional ethical culture focuses on official architecture and residential-oriented vernacular architecture, and research on defensive dwellings has not yet been carried out. Based on data from our field research over the last ten years and 11 case studies, this paper constructs a research framework through five aspects, the spatial axis, functional arrangement, building volume, settlement pattern, and defense system, and analyzes the architectural spatial characteristics of Tubao under the ethical perspective. We find that although the Fujian Tubao is a rammed earth dwelling with mainly defensive functions, it also follows the traditional Chinese ethical concept of “clear-cut hierarchy and order of superiority and inferiority”; however, because of its special defense performance, it has added practical and defensive space to the traditional dwelling arrangement pattern. This study helps to provide a manual for the restoration and sustainable development of the vernacular architecture heritage of the southeastern coastal regions of China. Full article