What Forces that Shape and Retain the Beijing Courtyard Houses?
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The Department offers a five-year program leading to the Bachelor of Architecture degree. The program provides opportunities for general education as well as preparation for professional practice and/or graduate study.
The Department of Architecture offers two graduate degrees in architecture: a three-year accredited professional degree (MArch) and a two-semester to three-semester research degree (MS in Arch). Double-degree programs are currently offered with the Department of Community and Regional Planning (MArch/MCRP) and the College of Business (MArch/MBA).
History
The Department of Architecture was established in 1914 as the Department of Structural Design in the College of Engineering. The name of the department was changed to the Department of Architectural Engineering in 1918. In 1945, the name was changed to the Department of Architecture and Architectural Engineering. In 1967, the name was changed to the Department of Architecture and formed part of the Design Center. In 1978, the department became part of the College of Design.
Dates of Existence
1914–present
Historical Names
- Department of Structural Design (1914–1918)
- Department of Architectural Engineering (1918–1945)
- Department of Architecture and Architectural Engineering (1945–1967)
Related Units
- College of Design (parent college)
- College of Engineering(previous college, 1914–1978)
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Abstract
The type of courtyard house, as found within the Inner City of Beijing, is a well-developed Chinese housing typology. All houses in this area share a homogeneous pattern and texture in form and spatial layout. Particularly, certain distinguishing features can be easily identified across houses. This paper explains: (1) the outstanding features found in almost all courtyard houses in the city of Beijing, as well as in other cities across China, (2) the reasons why these features were preserved for more than two thousand years, (3) the socio-cultural driving forces that have maintained these features historically, and (4) the challenges they now face. It is hoped that this paper will attract some public attention regarding the conservation of this piece of historical and cultural heritage in China.