Study on the gene mapping and formation mechanism of historical buildings influenced by multiculturalism: A case of Gulangyu, China

A groundbreaking study on Kulangsu’s multicultural architecture reveals that historical building floor plans follow a gene mapping formula, V = L × X % + F × Y %, where local (L) and foreign (F) prototypes blend proportionally. The research identifies three generative mechanisms—'Imitation,' 'Compromise,' and 'Variation'—shaping spatial layouts, connectivity, and topological structures. Using advanced methods like space syntax, cluster analysis, and regression modeling, the study decodes how multicultural influences manifest in World Heritage buildings, offering a quantitative framework for understanding architectural evolution.

Zhang, N., Li, Y., Liu, J., Zhao, L., Yang, M., & Bai, H. (2025). Study on the gene mapping and formation mechanism of historical buildings influenced by multiculturalism: A case of Gulangyu, China. Frontiers of Architectural Research, 14(4), 1108–1131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2024.12.008