Space and Culture: Isomerism in Vernacular Dwellings in Meizhou, Guangdong Province, China Jin Tao1, Huashuai Chen2, Shawei Zhang3 and Dawei Xiao*4 1 Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, South China University of Technology, China 2 Senior Research Associate, Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University, USA 3 Senior Research Associate, Department of Architecture, South China University of Technology, China 4 Professor, Department of Architecture, South China University of Technology, China Abstract Taking Hakka vernacular dwellings as an example, this paper discusses the relationship between culture and architectural form. Using survey data from 2,189 traditional villages in the Meizhou region, the authors identify seven types of dwelling and their spatial distributions. Four housing types (Hengtang, Lung Wai, Bar and Pillow) have a high spatial overlap. Architectural morphology, with respect to symmetry, unit design and prototypes is then discussed. The four major dwelling types share the same cultural essence despite having different physical forms. This confirms the phenomenon of isomerism in architectural morphology. The authors hold that the homogenesis of vernacular dwellings, or the "spatial prototype" as a symbol and carrier of culture, strongly controls the consistency of architectural design. Meanwhile, heterogeneity reflects specific strategies of housing construction. It gives residential spaces adaptability to specific sociocultural and natural environments. Meanwhile, it exhibits itself indirectly in the form of diversity. Isomerism offers an appropriate mechanism through which vernacular dwellings can balance the needs of the top-down national system, bottom-up family needs, and the natural environment. This brings a new perspective that increases our understanding of vernacular dwellings. Keywords: Meizhou; vernacular dwelling; spatial distribution; spatial morphology; isomerism 1. Introduction that a culture only creates one type of dwelling? Is it The relationship between culture and the spatial a one-to-one correspondence? During a field survey morphology of vernacular dwellings has been in Meizhou, Guangdong Province, China, the authors extensively discussed in the field of architecture found a common phenomenon that various types of (Rapoport, 1982; Hays, 1984; Hodder, 1994; Johnson, dwellings could exist in the same village, although its 2003). It is generally accepted that culture plays an residents have the same family name, ancestors, and important role in shaping architecture, as if the form language. Why, then, have they built different types of of each dwelling carries a "cultural gene". (Rapoport, dwellings? This paper attempts to provide an answer. 2005; Robinson, 1989; Knapp, 1989;) In his book House Form and Culture, Rapoport (1969) pointed out 2. Types and Spatial Distribution Patterns of that housing is a cultural phenomenon with functions Vernacular Dwellings in Meizhou that are more than just physical and practical. The 2.1 Types of Vernacular Dwellings study of vernacular dwellings requires reflection on Meizhou borders Jiangxi, Fujian and Guangdong cultural features such as conventions, taboos and Provinces. Its main inhabitants are from the Hakka aspirations. ethnic group who originally migrated from China's It is true that culture and buildings reflect each other. central plains (Leong, 1997; Nakagawa, 1975). Now The spatial morphology of dwellings often represents located in remote mountainous areas, many Hakka the culture of their residents. However, does that mean dwellings built in ancient times have been well preserved as part of China's cultural heritage. With unique forms and various spatial morphologies, these *Contact Author: Dawei Xiao, Professor, dwellings have interested many scholars. South China University of Technology, Studies began in the 1970s and abundant findings 381 Wushan Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China have been published in Culture of Chinese Hakka Tel: +86-13602761413 Fax: +86-87112890 Architecture (Wu, 2008), Hakka Patriarchal Clan and E-mail: [email protected] Hakka Residential Architecture (Pan, 1998) and Hakka ( Received October 6, 2016 ; accepted November 14, 2017 ) Dwellings (SCUT, 2012). Recently, The Collection DOI http://doi.org/10.3130/jaabe.17.15 Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering/January 2018/22 15 Type Satellite Image Photo Sketch Map Description The hall is located in the geometric centre and is flanked by rows of houses oriented perpendicular to Hengtang it. Locations of the hall and the Housing transverse houses can be moved outward to form multiple courtyards within the complex. The structure of the front half is the same as Hengtang Housing, while the Lung Wai rear half has an added semi-circular Housing configuration known as a Lung Wai. It can also move outward to form multiple courtyards. Consists of several rows of transverse houses. Gable walls are arrayed Bar in the front, giving the name "Bar Housing Housing". It can have configurations of two to six bars. Similar layout to Lung Wai Housing, Pillow except that the semi-circular Lung Housing Wai is replaced by a rectangular structure. Several rows of detached houses surrounded by longer houses Cuobao to the sides and rear. Similar to Housing Pillow Housing but without a rear courtyard and with different spatial organization. A square or rectangular building Square with multiple floors that encloses Tulou a courtyard. There is sometimes a separate building in the courtyard. A multi-storey building of one or Round more circles that encloses a courtyard Tulou or venue for ritual activities. Fig.1. Spatial Forms and Descriptions of Vernacular Dwellings in Meizhou of Traditional Chinese Vernacular Dwellings (2014) These types of dwelling have been mentioned provided a thorough investigation of the topic, in previous studies, with the exception of Cuobao including the dwellings in Meizhou. Based on the Housing. Cuobao Housing has a similar spatial previous researches and the authors' field survey, morphology to Pillow Housing, but they are this paper classifies vernacular dwellings in Meizhou significantly different in internal structure (Fig.5.). This into seven types: Hengtang, Lung Wai, Bar, Pillow, will be elaborated on in the third part of this paper. Cuobao, Square Tulou and Round Tulou (Fig.1.). 16 JAABE vol.17 no.1 January 2018 Jin Tao 2.2 Spatial Distribution of Vernacular Dwellings Agglomeration core: Located in Xingning Basin The authors conducted a survey of vernacular and Wuhua Basin, the spatial distributions of Hengtang dwellings in 2,189 villages throughout Meizhou over and Lung Wai Housing largely overlap. A similar a period of more than one year (from 2013 to 2015). pattern exists for Bar and Pillow Housing, which are Geographical information was used to analyze the mainly distributed in the periphery of Meizhou city spatial distribution of dwelling types (Fig.2.). and in Pingyuan County. The agglomeration core of Number: Hengtang Housing was the most common Cuobao Housing is in Fengshun County, while there configuration of vernacular dwellings, and was present are no distribution cores for Square Tulou or Round in 1,948 (90%) of the study villages. Lung Wai, Bar Tulou designs. and Pillow Housing were present in 883, 285 and 246 villages, accounting for 40.3%, 13% and 11.2% of the 3. Isomerism in Vernacular Dwellings in Meizhou total, respectively. Cuobao Housing was present in 69 3.1 Core and Marginal Cultures of Vernacular villages. Only five villages included Square Tulou, and Dwellings six featured Round Tulou. According to the cultural region theory, a mature Distribution: Hengtang Housing was, by far, cultural region has a relatively consistent overall the most widely-distributed type of dwelling, and culture as well as spatial differences between core and can be seen almost everywhere in Meizhou. Lung marginal regions. The core region holds the major Wai, Bar and Pillow Housing are also extensively feature of the overall regional culture and determines distributed, but not throughout the whole city. Cuobao its development, whereas marginal regions are often Housing, Square Tulous and Round Tulous have a low influenced by neighbouring cultures (Crang, 1998; distribution. Kitchin, 2013). In terms of number, distribution and County boundaries of Meizhou a) Kernel density of Hengtang Housing b) Kernel density of Lung Wai Housing c) Kernel density of Bar Housing d) Kernel density of Pillow Housing e) Kernel density of Cuobao Housing Types Spatial Distribution pattern Large in number, widely a, b, c, distributed, with an obvious d agglomeration core Small in number, narrowly e distributed, with an obvious agglomeration core Small in number, narrowly f, g distributed, without an f) Kernel density of Square Tulou g) Kernel density of Round Tulou agglomeration core Fig.2. Spatial Distribution Patterns of Vernacular Dwellings in Meizhou JAABE vol.17 no.1 January 2018 Jin Tao 17 density, Hengtang Housing, which accounts for the Wai Housing and other types of dwellings are also large majority, occurs across the whole region and has relatively high. However, there is a special relationship obvious agglomeration centres. According to cultural between Lung Wai Housing and Square or Round Tulou. regional theory, this would undoubtedly make it the The high ratios are the results of the small numbers of core cultural dwelling type of Meizhou. On the other the latter—only three and five respectively, while other