Page 112 - JCAU-5-4

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Studying home: A book review

there can be a response that the traditional culture behind friendliness, and contribute to the community’s economic
the formation and development of the built environment development and social stability.
needs to be passed on in today’s rural construction. Home Beyond the House tells us that the development
Exploring the relationship between house and home is an and continuation of traditional culture in China and
exploration of the relationship between construction and other societies worldwide are powered by cultural self-
tradition. awareness, and the foundation is a complete interpretation

5. Development and continuation of and respect for rural culture. In other words, in the
tradition process of rural transformation, the frequently mentioned
“reconstruction” and “restructuring,” where “building” and
Chinese society has entered a new period of social “constructing” are just means, and the purpose is how to
transformation, and the forces of change will inevitably achieve “revitalization”.
cause a series of social transitions. Rural China is the
most critical part, and policy reform will change the social Acknowledgments
structure of rural society and residents’ traditional way of I acknowledge Gerardo Semprebon for recommending me
life, further causing environmental changes. In this process, to write this book review and Wei Zhao for offering me
the law of moving social development is inevitable, some insights. I am grateful to Caroline Church from Taylor &
traditions will be lost, and new ones will be born. Rural Francis for sending me the book Home Beyond the House
residents will never oppose to building a more comfortable from London.
environment. They desire modern facilities such as
running water, gas, and electricity, but do not want them Funding
at the cost of losing their sense of ownership and changing This work was sponsored by the National Natural Science
their lifestyle. In contrast to living under the strong land Foundation of China (Grant No. 51938002).
dependency of the past, the new life, “I will have to spend
money from the moment I wake up” (p. 315), a modern Conflict of interest
house cannot be called a better home for residents until it
offers them the opportunity to adapt to a new way of living No conflict of interest was reported by the author.
that involves continuing daily rituals (p. 48), so they are Author contributions
bound to resist the new houses and miss their old homes. In
other words, as we reveal home’s ever-changing meanings This is a single-authored work.
and symbols, we want to explore better how tradition can Ethics approval and consent to participate
gain development and continuity.
As stated at the beginning of the book, it is hoped that Not applicable.
local government officials and design professionals have Consent for publication
a new perspective in their vision and planning for other
renovation, revitalization, and modernization projects, Not applicable.
where cultural traditions can be preserved and promoted,
social relations can be sustained, and the meaning of Availability of data
home can be supported and enriched (p. 3). Designers Not applicable.
and planners should go beyond form and function to
understand and respect the cultural features and traditions References
of the countryside and explore their connotations and Chen, Z. (1999). Vernacular Architecture in the Middle Reaches of
values in depth before incorporating them into rural the Nanxi River. Beijing: Tsinghua University Press.
environmental transformation and housing design. China Architecture Society, (ed.). (2021). Stratigical Research
Meanwhile, it is crucial to emphasize public participation, and Reliminary Design Scheme of Rural Dwellings in Nujiang
foster close collaboration and communication with Region. Beijing: China Construction Industry Press.
residents, listen to their opinions and feedback, and Fathy, H. (2023). Building Houses for the Poor. Beijing: Tsinghua
incorporate them into the decision-making process. In University Press.
this way, it is possible to meet the needs and expectations
of rural residents while preserving and passing on their Fei, X. (2006). Rural China. Shanghai: Shanghai People’s
cultural traditions. In addition, using sustainable building Publishing House.
materials and technologies can promote environmental Lu, Y. (2007). Post-rural China. Beijing: The Commercial Press.

Volume 5 Issue 4 (2023) 5 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.0925