jismart2019032: "Influence of Vernacular Qilou Buildings on Contemporary Lingnan Architectural Design"

Abstract

In the early 20th century, many towns in Lingnan gave birth to a kind of vernacular building called Qilou (in Mandarin). At that time, the Qilou buildings mixed western design culture and eastern design culture, and formed a certain street scale. Until today, they still play vital roles in urban commercial street system. In contemporary Lingnan architectural design, it is necessary to consider the diversification, modernization, standardization and institutionalization of the planned architectural style of commercial blocks, and consider its adaptability to the climate of southern China and the humanistic care for the citizens. This essay will focus on some typical city of China which developed Qilou in both preservation and new design, such as Guangzhou, Haikou, etc., with analysing the form, the commercial usage of Qilou style, the urban condition and even preservation of these vernacular architecture, find out their impact radiation for architecture and urban street design.