Research on Traditional Stone Buildings in West Hunan Rural Areas

Abstract

Stone buildings have long history in west Hunan, stone is one of the most important building material that has been widely used in traditional building, village and town constructions especially in rural mountainous minority areas where rock resource is abundant. Stone is natural and compatible with the environment. Buildings built with local natural stone material in west Hunan minority areas are worth studying considering sustainable development and culture protection. Stone slab masonry in the south with grey limestone slabs and rubble masonry in the north with brown rubbles are two different types. Stone dominates the exterior, while the interior and main structures are built of wood like most of the traditional Chinese buildings. Traditional building techniques are passed on in the stone buildings while they also form the unique culture image of west Hunan rural areas.