Ecological Wisdom and Cultural Memory

China’s rapid urbanization has led to a homogenization of architectural styles and a critical loss of regional cultural identity. This paper addresses this crisis by retrospectively studying the traditional architectural wisdom embodied in the wall decorations of Western-Sichuan residences. The objective is to establish a path for reconstructing regional character in contemporary design. Focusing on the Liu’s Manor in Dayi as a key case study, the research employs a methodology combining documentary analysis, field surveys, iconography, and semiotics to deconstruct the creative wisdom, artistic features, and cultural connotations of these decorated walls. The study reveals that the wall decoration is not merely an aesthetic practice but is deeply rooted in the philosophical concept of “The unity of heaven and mankind”, manifesting as an ecological construction system adapted to the local environment. Tracing its development, the research shows an evolution from the foundational local craft of the “bamboo-weaving and mud wall” to a complex aesthetic language. This progression reflects a shift from purely practical functions toward sophisticated spiritual and symbolic expressions. Furthermore, analysis through iconography and semiotics identifies a cultural system where decorative motifs, utilizing harmonics and symbols, serve the integrated functions of blessing, moral edification, and aesthetic delight. Ultimately, this paper delineates a trinity logic system,” building technology, formal aesthetics and cultural symbols”, inherent in Western-Sichuan wall decoration. This framework not only illuminates the cultural spirit of the region’s vernacular architecture but also provides a vital theoretical reference and methodological inspiration for contemporary practices aiming to foster regional identity and cultural heritage in architectural design. Highlight Innovative research perspective: The research places the wall decoration of traditional Sichuan Western residential buildings in the context of cultural migration and ecological construction, breaking away from the traditional research paradigm of architectural aesthetics. It interprets the architectural decoration from the philosophical perspective of “harmony between man and nature” of the Western-Sichuan residents. Comprehensive research methods: The research comprehensively employs research methods such as literature review, field investigation, iconography and semiotics to deeply analyze the artistic features and cultural connotations of the wall decoration of traditional Western-Sichuan residential buildings, forming a cross-disciplinary research approach. Important academic discoveries: The research reveals that the wall decoration of traditional Sichuan Western residential buildings is not merely an aesthetic expression, but an ecological construction system in the process of evolving from practicality to refinement. Techniques such as “bamboo-woven mud wall” and brick carving demonstrate a complete aesthetic language, integrating auspiciousness, educational entertainment and aesthetic functions through a symbolic system. These highlights demonstrate the innovative research perspective, methodology and academic achievements of this study, providing new materials and foundations for the application of architectural decoration art in traditional Western-Sichuan residential buildings, it also provides new ideas for the protection and inheritance of regional cultures

Craft · Embodied cognition · Heaven · Iconography · Semiotics · Vernacular · Advanced Technology in Applications · Landscape and Cultural Studies · Sustainable Urban and Rural Development · Architecture