Abstract
Balustrade architecture is mainly distributed in south and southwest China and southeast Asia. Dai dwellings in Yunnan, China, are a typical balustrade dwelling. Traditional dwellings of Dai contain the concepts of architecture, physics, ecology, and sustainability in space planning, building materials, and construction methods. At a time when the global climate environment is deteriorating and energy saving, emission reduction, and low-carbon life are advocated, Dai dwellings should be studied from the perspective of sustainable development, from which we can draw lessons and inspiration. This paper investigated plane layout, space structure, and materials of Dai dwellings, and found that traditional Dai dwellings are wooden frame structures with wood and bamboo; the roof has two layers and long overhang eaves, which is good for diverting rain water, shading and shelter, and integrating the building with the natural landscape as well. Analyzing the spatial characteristics and problems of Dai dwellings at present, discussing the sustainable development ideas of Dai dwellings, constructing Dai dwellings with low energy consumption and high quality of life, combining traditional culture with ecological technology, and designing a sustainable new green living model are beneficial to the inheritance of Dai residence culture.
Highlights
The way in which early humans lived was mainly influenced by natural environment
Dai dwellings are related to geography, building materials, construction techniques, economic life, production relations, and other factors, among which geography include topography, landform, water system, traffic, climate, and other conditions; construction techniques include building structure, construction, equipment, and appearance; economic life refers to lifestyle and requirements; production relations include communication, religion, institutions, and geomancy [15]
The problem facing the development of national culture is how to make the nation and region maintain cohesion and vitality and make new contributions to global civilization, while the development of global civilization is beneficial to the development of national culture, and does not weaken or engulf the culture of ethnic, regional, and local aspects at the same time [17]
Summary
The way in which early humans lived was mainly influenced by natural environment. There are two main types of Chinese traditional dwellings: balustrade architecture and courtyard architecture. Due to the humid climate and floods in southern China, humans live in trees, which is commonly referred to as “nest.” Han Fei-zi, Wuchun records: “in ancient times, people were few, but animals were many, human beings could not defeat beasts. A saint appeared and built a nest in a tree to protect them from animals.”. Owing to the arid climate in northern China, people used natural caves to shelter from the storm, and protect themselves from beasts. Huai Nan-zi, Xiuwuxun: “emperor Shun built houses and earthen walls, and roofed them with thatch and reeds, so that people would no longer live in caves in the wild, but would have homes and families.”
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