Spatial Properties in Daily Life Represented in Traditional Dwelling "Zhaigou"

--Way of Living of Traditional Dwelling in Chongming Island of Shanghai, China (1)

Abstract

Owing to China's reform and opening-up policies in 1978, a leap economic development has been achieved. Howerer, it also brought lots of social problems, such as disappearing of regional culture. Chongming Island, located in rural part of Shanghai, is also without exception. By focusing on way of living in traditional dwelling "Zhaigou" in Chongming Island, the authors aim to record and clarify the spatial properties in daily life. Based on bibliographic and field surveys, the authors have perceived the structure and properties. As a result, there were a spatial order differs inner from outer distinguished by 5 layers, and a vertical and horizontal spatial order differs higher from lower. Furthermore, these orders were closely attached to physical aspects of the dwelling. Obviously, the meanings of plants around and patterns on buildings also formed conventions for people's behaviors in daily life, which coordinated with these spatial properties.