Page 25 - JCAU-5-2

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Style evolution rules of Tibetan dwellings

and changes to the doors, windows, and roofs were made wooden boards to the outside of stones or rammed earthen
mainly for better lighting and protection from the rain. walls to imitate the materials used in traditional building
To increase the amount of natural light in each room, the façades. The murals often depict traditional Tibetan
residents opened many windows on each side. Stronger Buddhist geometric patterns on window lattices and eight
structures were used for the roofs to support small blue tiles auspicious treasures combined with bright colors on new
that could withstand more rainfall. façade decoration also timber, which are very different from the original deep and
gradually increased, with the overall building remaining simple natural wood color of traditional dwellings.
relatively simple, except for the decorative colors of doors
and windows. 3.1.4. Modern dwellings
Villagers have built modern dwellings since 2010, with a
3.1.3. Partially reconstructed B dwellings
lifespan of approximately 10 years (Figure 10). With the
Partially reconstructed B dwellings refer to homes built advent of modern construction techniques and the evolving
by villagers between 1991 and the 2010s that have been needs of the villagers, the plan of buildings has become
preserved for 10 – 30 years. Most existing dwellings were more functional, with cast-in-situ concrete frame structures
constructed during this period (Figure 9). They have characterized by flexible spatial separation, rigidness, and
simple floor plans with brick and concrete structures completeness. However, façade design often departs from
and incorporate traditional western Sichuan dwellings traditional styles because of self-organization characteristics.
with Tibetan-style Buddhist murals in their decorations. The specific features include the following. First,
The overall style combines varieties, but modernist commercial spaces for selling tourism products have been
features are dominant. For the structural changes, first, incorporated, represented by Zhaxizeren’s house and
in terms of building plans, the floor plans of newly built Sangjiezhu’s house in Zezhawa Village, with some being
and renovated homes are influenced by modern and Han designed to sell food and beverages, display and sell souvenirs,
Chinese architectural styles to varying degrees. The main and be used as tourist dining and resting spaces. The front
feature is an outer corridor and an L shape, represented yard in front of the entrance of the building, combined with
by Sebulang’s house in Shuzheng Village, or a U shape, the space of the first-floor eaves-column gallery, increases
enclosed by independent buildings that overlap on three the visibility of the entrance to attract passing tourists, and
sides, represented by Longzhuta’s house in Shuzheng the owners’ living spaces have expanded. The second floor
Village. These houses have barely any changes in the is usually reserved for living space (rather than homestay
blocks, with the second-floor flat roof vanishing, which is business), and additional functional rooms, such as study
enclosed and rigid. rooms, game rooms, and sunrooms, are set up, reflecting the
Second, brick and frame systems are widely used increased attention to the quality of personal life.
(expanding to the entire area of Jiuzhaigou Valley) instead Second, owing to the short construction period, low
of traditional wooden structures for safety, stability, and construction costs, and high stability brought about by
durability. This has led to the disappearance of traditional new construction techniques, after the earthquake in 2017,
wooden construction techniques. many traditional wooden buildings were demolished and
Third, dwellings near the main path in the Jiuzhaigou rebuilt with more stable and safe framed structures, which
Scenic Area gradually abandoned traditional simple have had a devastating impact on traditional architectural
façades and began to use techniques such as coatings, wood style. As economic and social development continues,
veneers, and murals to decorate the exterior walls to attract traditional Tibetan residential culture is gradually
tourists. The application of wood veneers involves attaching disappearing.

A B C D

Figure 10. Illustration of typical dwelling features of modern dwellings. (A) Appearance; (B) construction; (C) structure; (D) floor plan showing functional
zones. Source: Photos and drawing by the authors

Volume 5 Issue 2 (2023) 8 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.0880