From 'neo-vernacular' to 'semi-vernacular

A case study of vernacular architecture representation and adaptation in rural Chinese village revitalization

Datos Bibliográficos

ID5700528
AutoresXiaoxin Zhao (0000-0002-8610-3603, The University of Queensland, autor de correspondencia), Kelly Greenop (0000-0003-2145-5277, The University of Queensland)
Año2019
Volumen25
Número11
Páginas1128-1147
Fecha de publicación2019-11-02
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaInternational Journal of Heritage Studies (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1352-7258 • E-ISSN: 1470-3610
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13527258.2019.1570544
OpenAlexW2911380768
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas6
Referencias citadas10

Vernacular architecture can be regarded as heritage places. Recently, the need to protect vernacular heritage in China has been reflected through government policy changes, for example the ‘beautiful countryside’ program which aims to develop rural villages since 2005. However, a conflict between conserving the tangible fabric and the intangible heritage of the vernacular place can become pronounced, as villagers have desires for a modern lifestyle, and maintaining the physical building fabric. Vernacular villages require sustainable development alongside conservation of both tangible and intangible heritage significance. A key factor in keeping a village alive is continuing its utilization by a local community. This paper introduces the terms ‘neo-vernacular’ (buildings with a vernacular appearance with contemporary methods and materials) and ‘semi-vernacular’ (reusing or renovating vernacular buildings in combination with modern and traditional building techniques) to distinguish two approaches to vernacular villages conservation. We analyse the distinctions between the works of Amateur Architecture Studio (AAS) and Atelier Zhang Lei (AZL) to demonstrate the neo-vernacular and semi-vernacular approaches respectively through photo-comparison diagrams, and reviewing comments from local villagers, architectural students, and scholars. In the discussion, we propose that the semi-vernacular adaptation offers a new approach worth pursuing in China’s rapidly changing rural landscapes

Aesthetics · Archaeology · Art · China · Cultural heritage · Geography · Literature · Vernacular · Vernacular architecture · Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation · Cultural Industries and Urban Development · History · Sustainable Urban and Rural Development