Harmony Between Ritual and Residential Spaces in Traditional Chinese Courtyards: A Space Syntax Analysis of Prince Kung’s Mansion in Beijing

A study of Prince Kung’s Mansion in Beijing reveals that ritual and residential spaces are designed with distinct spatial gradients, where ritual areas exhibit high visibility and connectivity while residential spaces prioritize introversion. Using Visibility Graph Analysis (VGA) and axial maps, researchers found a positive correlation between spatial visibility and ritual hierarchy, confirming that connectivity intensifies during rituals compared to daily life. This architectural design reflects Confucian ideological principles such as centrality, gender segregation, and hierarchy. The findings provide evidence-based insights for heritage conservation and offer a new perspective on the analysis of courtyard ritual spaces.

Guo, P., Sang, Y., Li, F., Lyu, T., & Liu, T. (2025). Harmony Between Ritual and Residential Spaces in Traditional Chinese Courtyards: A Space Syntax Analysis of Prince Kung’s Mansion in Beijing. Buildings, 15(21), 3815. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15213815