User:Zhu Zhu

期末论文

Huizhou Architecture — Appreciating the Beauty of Traditional Chinese Architecture

Formation and Development

Hui-style architecture, namely Huizhou architecture, marks one of the representative elements of ancient Huizhou and is now predominantly found in provinces such as Jiangxi and Anhui. Its unique style is closely tied to the local Huizhou merchant culture and the distinctive natural environment. The origins of Huizhou architecture can be traced back to the Southern Song Dynasty. With the imperial court’s relocation to Lin’an (present-day Hangzhou) and large-scale construction of palaces, gardens, and other structures, it not only spurred Huizhou merchants to engage in industries such as timber, bamboo, and lacquerware but also nurtured a group of skilled artisans from Huizhou. From the mid-Ming Dynasty onward, with the rise of the Huizhou merchant class and the prosperity of Huizhou’s economy, Huizhou-style gardens and residential architecture entered a phase of rapid development. After achieving wealth, Huizhou merchants, seeking to glorify their families and display their prosperity, invested heavily in constructing luxurious residences, exquisite gardens, academies, and ancestral halls while acquiring extensive farmland. Not only were they adept in business, but they also actively associated with literati and scholars, continuously enhancing their cultural refinement. Gradually, they infused their personal aesthetic tastes and ideals into architectural designs, thereby propelling Huizhou architecture toward maturity and forming a distinctive stylistic system. Furthermore, the development of Huizhou architecture was influenced by the geographical environment. The ancient Huizhou region was largely mountainous and hilly, often described as a saying that it is a region of eight-tenths mountains, one-tenth water, and one-tenth arable land. To preserve the precious plains for cultivation, residential plots were often narrow and sloped, leading to tightly clustered buildings with vertical expansion. As the structures of local buildings were predominantly wooden, they were highly susceptible to fires so that fire-proof walls (horse-head walls) were created. These stepped, towering walls effectively isolated fires and became the most striking external feature of Huizhou architecture.

Architectural Features

The Coexistence of Aesthetic and Practical Value

The layout of Huizhou-style architecture follows the natural terrain, harmonizing the buildings with their surroundings. Traditional Huizhou architecture includes Pailou ( decorated archways), ancestral halls, and residential buildings, with the following analysis focusing on residential features.

From the Perspective of Exterior and Layout Characteristics

White Walls and Black Tiles

"Black tiles and white walls" essentially capture the two defining color tones of Huizhou architecture—a interplay of dark and light, most characteristically expressed in shades of black and white. (Ji Zhongyang, ed.; Zhu Zhiping, Zhu Huijie, auth., 2021) The towering white horse-head walls stand in elegant contrast to the bluish-black roof tiles. Nestled within the Jiangnan watertown, this palette harmonizes perfectly with the surrounding hills and waters, composing a fresh and understated ink-wash panorama. The lime-washed walls serve the practical purposes of damp-proofing and pest resistance, while the dark tiles are valued for their durability and ability to conceal wear. Thus, the choice of materials is both economical and functional, crafting the ethereal, poetic aesthetic of a traditional Chinese painting.

Horse-Head Walls

Also known as a fire-sealing wall, it is constructed by raising the gable walls several feet above the eaves, following the slope of the roof to form a stepped or curved profile. (Xiong Jing, auth.; Wang Yuguang, ed.; Xiong Jing, Wu Yonggui, associate eds., 2024) Its original primary function was fire prevention, which later evolved into an iconic symbol of Huizhou architecture. The staggered arrangement of these walls creates a strong sense of rhythm and visual impact.

From the Perspective of Structure and Spatial Characteristics

Courtyard Layout Centered Around the Skywell

All main rooms open towards the internal courtyard, forming a centripetal family communal space that strengthens familial cohesion and privacy, while presenting an enclosed and defensive facade to the outside with high walls. The courtyard also serves as a practical climate regulation system; residences with high walls and small windows rely on the courtyard to draw ventilation, creating air convection and moderating the microclimate. For merchants, who often feared the outward flow of wealth, the courtyard allows rainwater from the roof ridges to flow inward, a feature known as "Four Waters Returning to the Hall," symbolizing the auspicious notion of retaining wealth within the household. (Li Donghai, Zhang Guangbin, 2024) The courtyard design also embodies aesthetic value. It acts as a viewfinder of nature scenes which can capture shadows of eaves and windows cast onto white walls and stone slabs with changing sunlight and moonlight, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. The interconnected front and rear courtyards in traditional dwellings produce a visual experience of shifting scenes with every step, akin to unrolling a long scroll with subtle and varied views.

Gate Towers

As prominent structures above the entrance, gate towers reinforce the stability and defense of the doorway. It is highly practical that their extended eaves provide shelter for the entrance area, proof rain and offer shade in summer. Moreover, the towering gate towers demarcate private spaces within closely packed buildings, with their form and scale directly reflecting the owner’s social status and economic standing. The exquisite carvings on gate towers are richly detailed, creating a striking contrast with the simplicity of the white walls and black tiles which is an aesthetic interplay of minimalism and intricacy.

The Coexistence of cultural and historical Value

Huizhou architecture is not merely a place for dwelling but also a carrier of spiritual and cultural significance, imbuing it with profound cultural value. In residential buildings, the skywell serves as the center with the main hall as the axis. And rooms are allocated according to age and gender, reflecting Confucian family ethics such as "order between elders and juniors" and "distinction between inner and outer." The style of Huizhou architecture is deeply influenced by Neo-Confucianism: the exterior features white walls and black tiles, with decorations balanced in complexity and simple colors, embodying values such as stealth wealth and the Golden Mean. Huizhou architecture is also heavily influenced by feng shui principles. In village sites, the ideal model is backing onto mountains and facing water, embracing yin and yang, which is seen in the ox-shaped water system design of Hongcun. This not only meets daily and fire prevention needs but also symbolizes prosperity and endless wealth. In summary, Huizhou architectural culture is deeply shaped by feng shui, Confucianism, and Huizhou merchant culture, integrating these elements into the buildings to form unique cultural symbols. Huizhou architecture emphasizes the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature. Buildings are situated near mountains and water, adapting to the terrain to minimize environmental alteration, reflecting the philosophy of unity between heaven and humanity. At the same time, Huizhou architecture also recounts a unique history of the rise and fall of Huizhou merchant culture. The scale and decorative level of its buildings directly reflect changes in the financial strength of Huizhou merchants. During the mid-Ming period, as their wealth began to accumulate, buildings were modest in scale with a simple and restrained decorative style. By the mid to late Qing dynasty, the salt and tea trades had brought enormous wealth, leading architecture into a phase of grandiosity and extravagant ornamentation. From the late Qing to the Republican era, with reforms in the salt administration, warfare, and shifts in economic centers, the financial power of Huizhou merchants declined sharply. The scale of newly built residences shrank significantly, decorations were simplified or even omitted, and some grand mansions were subdivided, sold off, or left with their original carvings neglected. This vividly reflects the overall economic downturn of the Huizhou merchant class. Therefore, Huizhou architecture is indispensable in the study of China’s economic and cultural history as a material archive.

Typical Huizhou Architecture

Hongcun is known as the "village in the Chinese painting." Established during the Southern Song Dynasty, it preserves 137 ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Its most distinctive feature lies in its ingenious "ox-shaped" layout: Mount Leigang to the east serves as the ox’s head, with towering ancient trees representing its horns; the famous Moon Pond is the ox’s small stomach; the water channels diverting water into the village act as the intestines; the South Lake, an artificial lake to the south, forms the ox’s stomach; wooden bridges in the west stand for the legs; and the village’s dwellings make up the body. (Shanghai Documentary Channel, 2014) This artificial water system not only addresses firefighting, water supply, and drainage but also forms the dynamic core of the village’s landscape. The architecture features typical Huizhou-style design among Chengzhi Hall which was built by a salt merchant in the late Qing Dynasty. It is renowned for its grand scale and exquisite wood carvings, calling it the " Folk Forbidden City." For those famous architecture, Hongcun and Xidi are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000.

Summary

Huizhou architecture also documents the socio-economic conditions and cultural ideologies of the Huizhou region, holding significant historical value. In the future, it will not only be preserved as a testament to history but will also continue to play an irreplaceable role as cultural heritage in the new era. （Lou Zhongxia 2023）The Hui culture represented by Huizhou architecture has had a profound influence, and thus the inheritance and development of Hui culture rely on the support and promotion of Hui-style architecture. So Huizhou architecture and Hui culture are deeply intertwined and mutually reinforcing, together forming a treasure within the cultural treasury of China. In the era of economic globalization, Huizhou architecture will undoubtedly break new life back into culture through international cultural exchanges.

Terms and Expressions

Pailou (decorated archways) 牌楼

Gate tower 门楼

Skywell 天井

Horse-head Walls 马头墙

White Walls and Black Tiles 粉墙黛瓦

Four Waters Return to the Hall四水归堂

Questions

1.What are the external characteristics of Huizhou architecture?

2.Where is Huizhou architecture distributed today?

3.What is the value of Huizhou architecture?

4.What is the architectural ingenuity of Hongcun's Huizhou buildings?

Answers

1.White Walls and Black Tiles and Horse-Head Walls

2.Jiangxi and Anhui Provinces

3.Aesthetic, Practical, Cultural and Economic Value

4.Ox-shaped Layout

Reference

[1] 季中杨主编；朱志平，朱慧劫著. 决胜小康探索乡村振兴之路宅坦村卷[M]. 2021

[2] 熊静著；王余光主编；熊静，吾永贵副主编. 中国图书馆学史第五卷[M]. 2024

[3] 李东海，张广斌．徽州历史人物与徽州文化[M]. 2024

[4] 上海纪实频道. 山中的乾坤. 2014

[5] 罗中霞．徽派建筑艺术风韵及传承再生研究[M]. 2023

徽派建筑—欣赏中国传统建筑之美

形成与发展

徽派建筑又称徽州建筑，是古徽州的代表性元素之一，现多分布于江西，安徽等省。徽派建筑能够独具一格与当地徽商文化以及独特的自然环境密切相关。徽派建筑的源头可追溯至南宋时期。随着朝廷迁都临安（今杭州），宫殿、园林等大规模兴建，不仅带动了徽州商人从事木材、竹材、漆器等相关产业，也培养出了一批技艺娴熟的徽州工匠。明代中叶以后，伴随徽商群体的崛起与徽州社会经济的繁荣，徽派园林与宅第建筑进入了迅速发展阶段。徽商致富后，为光耀门楣、彰显财力，在广置田产的同时，大力兴建豪华宅邸、精巧园林、书院及宗祠等建筑。他们不仅在商业上经营有方，还广泛结交文人雅士，不断提升自身的文化修养，逐渐将个人的审美与理念融入建筑之中，从而推动徽派建筑逐步走向成熟，形成独具特色的风格体系。再者，徽派建筑的发展受地理环境的影响，古徽州地区多以山地和丘陵为主，素有八山一水一分田的说法。为了节约珍贵的平原地区用于耕作，这就导致了住宅基地多为狭窄有起伏的山坡，使得房屋之间紧密相连，纵向发展。且房屋多为木质结构，极易发生火灾。因此，封火墙（马头墙）又被创造出来，利用其阶梯状的高耸墙体来有效隔绝火势，形成了徽派建筑独具一格的风格。

建筑特点

美学价值与实用价值共存

徽派建筑的布局特征都顺应自然地貌的走势，使得建筑与自然之间更加协调。传统的徽派建筑分为牌楼，祠堂以及民居，接下来集中分析的是民居的特点。

从外观与布局来看

粉墙黛瓦

青瓦、粉壁实际上是指徽派建筑的两种主要色调是深色和浅色，以黑白居多。（季中杨主编；朱志平，朱慧劫著 2021）白色高耸的马头墙与青黑色的瓦片形成鲜明对比，在这江南水乡之中与山水背景融为一体，构成一幅清新淡雅的山水画卷。石灰墙可防潮防虫，黑色瓦片耐脏耐久，材料的选择既经济实用，又塑造了水墨画般的视觉效果。

马头墙

又称封火墙，将两际山墙自檐口砌高三数尺，并随屋面斜坡做成阶梯形或其他曲线，（熊静著；王余光主编；熊静，吾永贵副主编 2024）最初主要功能是防火，后演变为徽派建筑的标志性符号。错落有致的排列极具韵律感和视觉冲击力。

从结构与空间概念来看

以天井为中心的院落布局

所有主要房间都朝向内部的天井开放，形成一个向心性的家庭公共空间，强化了家族的内聚力和私密性，对外则表现出高墙的封闭与防御；天井亦是实用气候调节系统，高墙小窗的住宅依赖天井拔风，形成空气对流，调节微气候；经商之人，总怕财源外流，天井使屋脊的雨水顺势纳入天井之中，名曰"四水归堂"，图的是财不外流的吉利。（李东海，张广斌 2024）天井设计也兼具美感，它是建筑捕捉自然的取景框，随时间变化的日光、月光，将屋檐、窗棂的影子投射在白墙与石板上，形成了光影变幻的动态美学；民居的前后天井相互串联，形成了“ 移步换景、层层递进”的视觉体验，如同展开一幅长卷，含蓄而变幻无穷。

门楼

作为大门上方的重点构筑，它不仅加固了入口结构，增强了稳定性和防御感；而且门楼向前延伸的屋檐，为入口区域提供了遮蔽，方便雨天出入和夏日遮阳，极具实用性。再者，高耸的门楼能够在紧密相连的建筑中界定私人领域，其形制与规模直接昭示着主人的身份地位以及经济实力。门楼上的精美雕饰极具量感，与粉墙黛瓦的朴素相比较，形成了简-繁的极致对比美学。

文化与历史价值共存

徽派建筑不仅仅是单纯的居住场所，更是精神文化内涵的载体，因而具有极高的文化价值。徽派建筑中的民居以天井为中心，正厅为主轴，房间按长幼、男女分配，体现了儒家“长幼有序、内外有别”的家庭伦理；徽州建筑风格深受新儒学影响：外观为白墙黛瓦，装饰繁简有度，色彩克制，体现“藏富不露”“中庸节制”的价值观；徽派建筑也深受风水学的影响：在村落选址时，遵循“背山面水、负阴抱阳”的理想模式，如宏村“牛形”水系设计，既满足生活与防火需求，也寄托了人丁兴旺、财源不绝的寓意。总之，徽派建筑文化深受风水学、儒家思想、以及徽商文化的影响，并将这些文化元素融入建筑，形成独特的文化标志。徽派建筑强调自然与人的和谐共生，建筑依山傍水，顺应地形，从而减少对环境的改造，体现天人合一的思想。同时，徽派建筑也讲述了一段独特的徽商文化兴衰史。其建筑规模与装饰水平直接反映徽商财力变化。明朝中期财力初兴，建筑规模适中，装饰风格质朴内敛；清朝中后期盐、茶贸易带来巨额财富，建筑进入宏大奢繁阶段；晚清至民国时期，随着盐法改革、战乱与经济重心转移，徽商财力萎缩。建宅院规模锐减，装饰简化甚至省略，部分大宅被分割、转卖，原有雕刻维护停滞，这直观映射了徽商经济的整体下行。所以徽派建筑在中国经济文化史的研究中不可或缺。

典型的徽派建筑

宏村素有“中国画里的乡村”之美誉。村落始建于南宋，现存明清古建筑137幢。其最独特之处在于精妙的“牛形”村落规划：村东的"雷刚山"为牛头，参天古木为牛角；宏村有名的"月沼"是牛小肚；而引水入村的"水圳"则是牛肠；村南的人工湖"南湖"为牛胃；然后在村西架设木桥，是为牛腿；村子里的宅邸则演化成了牛身。（上海纪实频道 2014）这套人工水系不仅解决了消防、供水与排水问题，也构成了村落灵动的景观核心。村内建筑为典型的徽式风格，其中，清末盐商所建的承志堂规模宏大、木雕精美，被誉为“民间故宫”。2000年，宏村与西递一同被列入世界文化遗产名录。

总结

微派建筑还记录着徽州的社会经济情况和文化意识形态，具有重要的历史价值。未来，徽派建筑不仅会作为历史的见证得到保存，也会作为文化遗产，在新时期继续发挥其不可替代的作用。（罗中霞 2023）徽派建筑所代表的徽州文化影响深远，因而徽州文化的传承和发展离不开徽派建筑的支持和推动。徽派建筑与徽州文化相互交融、相互促进，共同成为中华文化宝库中的瑰宝。在经济全球化发展的时代，徽派建筑一定能够通过国际文化交流焕发出新的文化活力。

问题

1.徽派建筑的外观特点有哪些？

2.徽派建筑现今分布在哪些地方？

3.徽派建筑有哪些价值？

4.宏村的徽派建筑精妙之处在何处？

答案

1.粉墙黛瓦，马头墙

2.多分布于江西，安徽等省

3.美学价值，使用价值，文化价值与经济价值

4.牛型结构

参考文献