Spatial characteristics of defensive traditional architecture in multiethnic village of Guangxi: Case studies of Mozhuang Village and Guxietun Village

Abstract

Defensive traditional architecture research is critical to the understanding of the ethnic history and multiethnic villages. Currently, there are few studies on the combination of traditional architecture and multiethnicity, and most of the defensive traditional buildings in multiethnic villages of Guangxi are facing the plight of being destroyed and abandoned. The aim of this research is to identify the spatial characteristics, commonalities, and differences of Guangxi’s defensive traditional architecture with Mozhuang Village and Guxietun Village as the examples, in order to preserve the architectural and ethnic components of these villages. This research uses the four research methods: literature review, field research, observation and space syntax analysis, and it summarizes the three results from the five aspects: plan, elevation, construction material, masonry and decoration. Results showed that the spatial characteristics are dominated by the ethnic group with the higher technological, cultural or economic level, and there are both commonalities and differences in defensive traditional architecture in multiethnic villages. Based on the three study results, this research proposes some overall suggestions toward traditional villages and architecture improvement in ethnic areas.

Key words： Defensive traditional architecture; Spatial characteristics; Multiethnic village; Commonalities and differences; Development