Geo-Cultural Factors Shaping Traditional Residential Architecture in Eastern China: A Comparative Study of the Hui, Su, and Fujian Styles

Traditional residential architecture in Eastern China is shaped more by cultural transmission than by climate, according to a comparative study of the Hui, Su, and Fujian styles. Despite similar climatic conditions, these styles—found in provinces like Anhui, Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Shandong—developed distinct characteristics due to cultural influences such as Confucian philosophy and Feng Shui principles. The research highlights that while geography provides the material (e.g., stone and rammed earth), culture dictates the layout and symbolic details of these structures. The study used a qualitative comparative method, supported by case studies of representative sites like Xidi and Hongcun (UNESCO World Heritage Sites). This finding challenges the notion that climate alone drives architectural evolution, emphasizing instead the role of cultural heritage in shaping living traditions.

Hodžić, S. (2026). Geo-Cultural Factors Shaping Traditional Residential Architecture in Eastern China: A Comparative Study of the Hui, Su, and Fujian Styles. Www.ijerd.com. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.21869694