Biophilic design features in vernacular architecture and settlements of the Naxi
Abstract
As a newly formed concept, “Biophilic design” is attracting a growing attention among both practitioners and academics. However, the link between biophilic design and vernacular architecture has yet to be thoroughly explored, especially in the context of China, which is the gap this article aims to fill. Investigating the vernacular architecture of the Naxi, this research found that biophilic design attributes and features existed in vernacular buildings and settlements. A matrix framework was developed to facilitate the in-depth investigation of the interrelated elements of the Naxi such as local climate, topography, culture, their belief system, conventions, arts and literature. Among other results, we found that the local culture was influenced by animism and distinct cosmic models. Also, the buildings were constructed using the traditional ways of material preparation and conventions of occupancy. This research serves as an important springboard to bridge between studies in biophilic design and studies in vernacular architecture and settlements.
Keyword : vernacular architecture, biophilia, biophilic design, traditional culture, the Naxi, China
How to Cite
Li, M., Chau, H.-W., & Aye, L. (2020). Biophilic design features in vernacular architecture and settlements of the Naxi. Journal of Architecture and Urbanism, 44(2), 188-203. https://doi.org/10.3846/jau.2020.13266
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
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https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph7031036
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers. (2004). Thermal environmental conditions for human occupancy (Standard No. 55-2004). ASHRAE, Atlanta, USA.
Beatley, T. (2017). Handbook of Biophilic city planning & design. Island Press. https://doi.org/10.5822/978-1-61091-621-9
Browning, W., & Ryan, C. (2020). Nature inside: a biophilic design guide. Riba Publications.
https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003033011
Browning, W., Ryan, C., & Clancy, J. (2014). 14 patterns of biophilic design: improving health & well-being in the built environment. Terrapin Bright Green.
Carsten, J., & Hugh-Jones, S. (1995). About the house: LéviStrauss and beyond. Cambridge University Press.
https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511607653
Chen, Z. (2008). Ziran, shenxing yu mei: Xiandai yujing zhong de Naxi zu shenmeijingshen yanjiu [Nature, divinity and beauty: A study of Naxi aesthetics in a modern context] [PhD dissertation]. Shanghai Normal University, Humanities and Communication College.
Cook, J. W., Klotz, H., & Scully, V. (1973). Conversations with architects: Philip Johnson, Kevin Roche, Paul Rudolph, Bertrand Goldberg, Morris Lapidus, Louis Kahn, Charles Moore, Robert Venturi & Denise Scott Brown. Lund Humphries.
Eckardt, M. H. (1992). Fromm’s concept of biophilia. Journal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis, 20(2), 233–240. https://doi.org/10.1521/jaap.1.1992.20.2.233
EnergyPlus. (2020). Weather data. https://energyplus.net/weather
Erich, F. (1964). The heart of man. Harper & Row.
Fennell, D. A. (2006). Tourism ethics (Vol. 30). Channel View Publications. https://doi.org/10.21832/9781845410360
Frumkin, P. (2001). Beyond toxicity: Human health and the natural environment. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 20(3), 234–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-3797(00)00317-2
Hartmann, H. (1959). Psychoanalysis and moral values. International Universities Press.
He, S. (2001). Naxi wenhua shi [The history of the Naxi culture]. Yunnan minzu chubanshe.
He, Z. (Ed.). (2011). Lijiang guchengzhi [Chronicles of Lijiang]. Yunnan renmin chubanshe.
Heerwagen, J. (2006). Investing in people: the social benefits of sustainable design. In Rethinking sustainable construction. Sarasota, FL.
Hui, F., & Aye, L. (2018). Occupational stress and workplace design. Buildings, 8(10), 133.
https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings8100133
Jiang, G. (1997a). Yunnan zhuwu wenhua. Yunnan daxue chubanshe.
Jiang, G. (1997b). Lijiang: Meili de Naxi jiayuan [Lijiang: the beautiful hometown of the Naxi]. Zhongguo jianzhu gongye chubanshe.
Jo, H., Song, C., & Miyazaki, Y. (2019). Physiological benefits of viewing nature: a systematic review of indoor experiments. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(23), 4739. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16234739
Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The experience of nature: A psychological perspective. Cambridge University Press.
Kellert, S. (2005). Building for life: Understanding and designing the human-nature connection. Island Press.
Kellert, S. (2008). Dimensions, elements, and attributes of biophilic design. In Biophilic design: the theory, science, and practice of bringing buildings to life (pp. 3–19). Wiley.
Kellert, S. (2018). Nature by design: The practice of biophilic design. Yale University Press.
Kellert, S., Heerwagen, J., & Mador, M. (2008). Biophilic design: The theory, science, and practice of bringing buildings to life. Wiley.
Keniger, L. E., Gaston, K. J., Irvine, K. N., & Fuller, R. A. (2013). What are the benefits of interacting with nature? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 10(3), 913–935. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph10030913
Knapp, R. G. (1992). Chinese landscapes: the village as place. University of Hawaii Press.
Kremer, P., Hasse, A., & Hasse, D. (2019). The future of urban sustainability: smart, efficient, green or just? Introduction to the Special Issue. Sustainable Cities and Society, 51, 101761.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2019.101761
Lévi-Strauss, C. (2008). Structural anthropology. Basic Books.
Li, G. (1991). Dongba wenhua yu Naxi zhexue [Dongba culture and the Naxi philosophy]. Yunnan renmin chubanshe.
Li, M. (2020). The evolution of the zhaobi: physical stability and the creation of architectural meaning. The Journal of Architecture, 25(1), 45–64.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13602365.2020.1734049
Liggett, R., & Milne, M. (2020). Climate Consultant 6. http://www.energy-design-tools.aud.ucla.edu/climate-consultant/request-climate-consultant.php
Pan, X. (2014). Naxizu xiangtu jianzhu jianzao fanshi yanjiu [Building paradigm of Naxi vernacular architecture]. Tsinghua University Press.
Ramzy, N. S. (2015). Biophilic qualities of historical architecture: In quest of the timeless terminologies of ‘life’ in architectural expression. Sustainable Cities and Society, 15, 42–56.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2014.11.006
Rapoport, A. (1969). House form and culture. Prentice-hall of India Private Ltd.
Ruan, X. (2006). Allegorical architecture: living myth and architectonics in Southern China. University of Hawaii Press. https://doi.org/10.1515/9780824861384
Rudofsky, B. (1964). Architecture without architects: a short introduction to non-pedigreed architecture. University of New Mexico Press.
Ryan, C. O., Browning, W. D., Clancy, J. O., Andrews, S. L., & Kallianpurkar, N. B. (2014). Biophilic design patterns: emerging nature-based parameters for health and well-being in the built environment. ArchNet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, 8(2), 62–76.
Söderlund, J. (2019). The emergence of biophilic design. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-29813-5
Su, X., & Teo, P. (2009). The politics of heritage tourism in China: A view from Lijiang. Routledge.
https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203873687
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (2020). China: Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List (55). http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/CN/
Wang, D. (2013). Zuqun, shequn yu xiangcun juluo yingzao: Yi Yunnan shaoshuminzu cunluo weili [Lineage, clan and the formation of rural settlements: In the case of the rural settlements of ethnic minority groups in Yunnan]. Zhongguo jiancai gongye chubanshe.
Wang, J., & Wang, T. (2008). Naxi yinxiang [Naxi impressions]. Yunnan jiaoyu chubanshe.
Wang, S. (1957). Nanzhao yeshi [The unofficial history of Nanzhao]. Yunnan renmin chubanshe.
Waterson, R. (2013). The living house: an anthropology of architecture in South-East Asia. Tuttle Publishing.
Wen, R. (2008). Kao gong ji [The records of examination of craftsman]. Shanghai guji chubanshe.
Yang, D., & Zhu, L. (2009). Yunnan minju [Yunnan Vernacular Architecture]. Zhongguo jiancai gongye chubanshe.
Yang, F. (2009). Lijiang Gucheng de diyushehui ji yongshui minsu [The regional society and customs of Lijiang]. Yunan Daxue Xuebao [Journal of Yunnan University], (3), 5–10.
Yigitcanlar, T., Kamruzzaman, M., Foth, M., Sabatini-Marques, J., da Costa, E., & Ioppolo, G. (2019). Can cities become smart without being sustainable? A systematic review of the literature. Sustainable Cities and Society, 45, 348–365.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2018.11.033
Zheng, P., & Liu, Q. (2006). Ren yu ziran de hejie: cong dongbajing kan xiuqusuai kan Naxi ren de ziranguan [The reconciliation between man and nature: Exploring the Naxi’s view of nature via xiuqusuai]. Green China, (18), 38–41.
Zhou, W. (1999). Yunnan lishi wenhua mingcheng [The famous historical and cultural towns of Yunnan]. Yunan meishu chubanshe.
Zhu, L. (2005). Lijiang gucheng yu Naxi zu minju [Lijiang old town and Naxi local-style dwelling houses]. Yunnan keji chubanshe.
Zhu, L. (2011). Chuantong minju jiazhi yu chuancheng [Value and inheritance of traditional houses]. Zhongguo jianzhu gongye chubenshe.