A PERSPECTIVE ON COURTYARD DESIGN: TULOU COLLECTIVE HOUSING IN CHINA

Büşra Durmaz; Cihan Erçetin

Article Details

A PERSPECTIVE ON COURTYARD DESIGN: TULOU COLLECTIVE HOUSING IN CHINA

Authors:

Büşra Durmaz | Cihan Erçetin

Publisher:

Cukurova University

Main Topics:

Şehir ve Bölge Planlama

Journal:

Mekansal Araştırmalar Dergisi Vol.3 Issue 1, pp.19-34

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

5/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001348815

pISSN:

3023-493X

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Courtyard housing, a design concept rooted in centuries-old traditions across various cultures, is widely recognized for its ability to create semi-private urban spaces within housing developments. However, the interpretation of courtyard housing varies significantly, encompassing diverse relationships between private and public spaces, shaped by cultural, traditional, and spatial mechanisms. This study explores courtyard housing from multiple perspectives, focusing on its attributes such as privacy dynamics, cultural significance, and modes of communication within and beyond the courtyard. The research then delves into the Tulou Collective Housing Project in China, a contemporary social housing prototype inspired by the traditional multi-family, fortress-like circular earth houses of Fujians rural regions. By examining both the traditional Tulou and its modern adaptation, this study highlights the integration of courtyard housing principles in addressing contemporary social housing needs. The findings aim to provide insights into the opportunities and challenges of incorporating traditional courtyard housing models into modern contexts, emphasizing the cultural, social, and architectural implications. This research contributes to ongoing discussions on the relevance and adaptability of traditional housing typologies in fostering inclusive and sustainable urban living environments.

 Courtyard housing, a design concept rooted in centuries-old traditions across various cultures, is widely recognized for its ability to create semi-private urban spaces within housing developments. However, the interpretation of courtyard housing varies significantly, encompassing diverse relationships between private and public spaces, shaped by cultural, traditional, and spatial mechanisms. This study explores courtyard housing from multiple perspectives, focusing on its attributes such as privacy dynamics, cultural significance, and modes of communication within and beyond the courtyard. The research then delves into the Tulou Collective Housing Project in China, a contemporary social housing prototype inspired by the traditional multi-family, fortress-like circular earth houses of Fujians rural regions. By examining both the traditional Tulou and its modern adaptation, this study highlights the integration of courtyard housing principles in addressing contemporary social housing needs. The findings aim to provide insights into the opportunities and challenges of incorporating traditional courtyard housing models into modern contexts, emphasizing the cultural, social, and architectural implications. This research contributes to ongoing discussions on the relevance and adaptability of traditional housing typologies in fostering inclusive and sustainable urban living environments.

 Courtyard housing, a design concept rooted in centuries-old traditions across various cultures, is widely recognized for its ability to create semi-private urban spaces within housing developments. However, the interpretation of courtyard housing varies significantly, encompassing diverse relationships between private and public spaces, shaped by cultural, traditional, and spatial mechanisms. This study explores courtyard housing from multiple perspectives, focusing on its attributes such as privacy dynamics, cultural significance, and modes of communication within and beyond the courtyard. The research then delves into the Tulou Collective Housing Project in China, a contemporary social housing prototype inspired by the traditional multi-family, fortress-like circular earth houses of Fujians rural regions. By examining both the traditional Tulou and its modern adaptation, this study highlights the integration of courtyard housing principles in addressing contemporary social housing needs. The findings aim to provide insights into the opportunities and challenges of incorporating traditional courtyard housing models into modern contexts, emphasizing the cultural, social, and architectural implications. This research contributes to ongoing discussions on the relevance and adaptability of traditional housing typologies in fostering inclusive and sustainable urban living environments.

 Avlu konutları, çeşitli kültürlerde yüzyıllar öncesine dayanan geleneklere kök salmış bir tasarım konsepti olarak, konut gelişimlerinde yarı-özel kentsel alanlar oluşturma yeteneğiyle geniş çapta tanınmaktadır. Ancak, avlu konutlarının yorumu büyük ölçüde farklılık göstermekte ve kültürel, geleneksel ve mekânsal mekanizmalarla şekillenen özel ve kamusal alanlar arasındaki çeşitli ilişkileri içermektedir. Bu çalışma, avlu konutlarını çok yönlü bir bakış açısıyla inceleyerek, mahremiyet dinamikleri, kültürel anlamı ve avlu içindeki ve dışındaki iletişim biçimleri gibi niteliklerine odaklanmaktadır. Araştırma daha sonra, Çindeki Tulou Toplu Konut Projesine odaklanmaktadır. Bu proje, Fujianın kırsal bölgelerinde bulunan geleneksel çok aileli, kale benzeri yuvarlak toprak evlerden esinlenmiş çağdaş bir sosyal konut prototipidir. Hem geleneksel Tulouyu hem de modern uyarlamasını inceleyen bu çalışma, avlu konut ilkelerinin günümüz sosyal konut ihtiyaçlarını karşılamadaki entegrasyonunu vurgulamaktadır. Elde edilen bulgular, geleneksel avlu konut modellerinin modern bağlamlara dahil edilmesiyle ilgili fırsatlar ve zorluklar hakkında içgörüler sağlamayı amaçlamakta ve bu sürecin kültürel, sosyal ve mimari etkilerine dikkat çekmektedir. Bu araştırma, geleneksel konut tipolojilerinin kapsayıcı ve sürdürülebilir kentsel yaşam ortamlarını teşvik etmedeki geçerliliği ve uyarlanabilirliği üzerine devam eden tartışmalara katkıda bulunmaktadır.

Article Details

A PERSPECTIVE ON COURTYARD DESIGN: TULOU COLLECTIVE HOUSING IN CHINA

Authors:

Büşra Durmaz | Cihan Erçetin

Publisher:

Cukurova University

Main Topics:

Şehir ve Bölge Planlama

Journal:

Mekansal Araştırmalar Dergisi Vol.3 Issue 1, pp.19-34

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

5/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001348815

pISSN:

3023-493X

Courtyard Housing

Tulou Collective Housing

Privacy and Public Space

Cultural Adaptation

Social Housing DesignAvlu Konutları

Tulou Toplu Konutları

Gizlilik ve Kamusal Alan

Kültürel Uyum

Sosyal Konut Tasarımı

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Büşra Durmaz | Cihan Erçetin

Publisher: Cukurova University

Main Topics: Şehir ve Bölge Planlama

Journal: Mekansal Araştırmalar Dergisi Vol.3 Issue 1, pp.19-34

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 5/2025

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001348815

pISSN: 3023-493X

Issues

Authors:

Büşra Durmaz | Cihan Erçetin

Publisher:

Cukurova University

Main Topics:

Şehir ve Bölge Planlama

Journal:

Mekansal Araştırmalar Dergisi Vol.3 Issue 1, pp.19-34

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

5/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001348815

pISSN:

3023-493X