A Handbook for the Construction of Traditional Chinese Dwellings: An Illustrated Case Study of a Qing Dynasty Small-Style Vernacular House in Beijing

Co-authored by Deng Konghuai and Tan Nani After personally experiencing the reconstruction of a small Siheyuan (courtyard house) measuring 215 square meters, two architects use an accessible approach to describe the construction process of traditional Chinese vernacular dwellings. The house is located in Beijing's urban area. According to the City Planning Bureau's regulations, all construction must follow traditional methods and be rebuilt according to the original size and location of the house. "Yingzao" translates to "construction" or "architecture," representing the pinnacle of folk wisdom. This book details the fundamental building principles of simple homes for generations of people, serving as an introduction to traditional architecture. It proceeds systematically from foundations and terraces, to timber framing, walls, roofs, exterior finishes, interior decoration, and finally, paint and mounting work. All illustrations depicting the form, structure, relationships, and characteristics of each part of the building are hand-drawn, with the exception of a small number of photographs. Most are clearly and precisely annotated with dimensions. Beyond the surface appearance of the architecture, it also analyzes the concepts of walls and space in traditional courtyard houses, as well as the ancient Chinese understanding of the cosmos: stability, yin and yang, light and shadow, inside and outside, opening and closing... The book begins with a photograph of the original Qing Dynasty "Yingzao Chifa" (Construction Manual rulers) at full scale, guiding readers on a journey into the construction of this traditional vernacular dwelling. At the end, a small poster is included, featuring floor plans paired with relevant photographs, allowing readers to "step inside" the Siheyuan on Nanchang Street in Beijing's urban area, leaving a deeper impression of the book's "protagonist."