Siheyuan: the traditional Chinese courtyard house

Question 1

What is a Siheyuan?

Answer 1

A type of courtyard architecture in Beijing, in which the courtyard is surrounded by buildings on all four sides

Question 2

What is a hutong?

Answer 2

Beijing name for ‘laneway’, that runs on an east-west axis, used for pedestrians

Question 3

Characteristics of the siheyuan

Answer 3

• Orthogonal planning - surrounded by other buildings on all four sides
• Exterior - decorated in red, green, grey
  
  • Designed for privacy
• Interior
  
  • Extensive use of screens - transition from public to private
  • Very open, ‘soft’
  • Inner gate decorated with lotus flower
• Several zones of privacy - four courtyards
• Transeasonal space - winter + summer bedroom
• Layout accords with social values + family dynamic