Traditional Chinese dwellings were oriented to the south and organized around courtyards. The size and layout depended on the family's wealth. A typical two-courtyard house had the main entrance opening to the first courtyard, which was used for cooking. The second courtyard served as the living space. Rooms along the east and west sides housed family members. The inner hall greeted guests and hosted ceremonies, while the main building housed the parents. Small side rooms accommodated children and other relatives. Ornamentation included timber wood carvings and roof tile designs. Construction materials included packed earth foundations, clay roof tiles, and wood frameworks.

1. Traditional dwellings of
China
Assignment: Oral Presentation (Part 1)

2. Historical background of China
 Hwang He

4. Dwellings
• Orientated to the South
• Size of courtyard house depends on wealth, size and taste of the
family
three-sided courtyard
house
four-sided courtyard
house
two-courtyard house

5. Uses of rooms in a typical
two-courtyard house
 1.Main entrance
 2. Rooms facing the rear. The
rooms facing the back are
reserved for the servants

6.  3. First courtyard. Cooking was
carried out here, and the second
courtyard was a living space.
 4. East and west-side rooms, for
the sons and daughters, or the
sons' families.

7.  5. Inner Hall. Where the members
of the family greeted guests or
where family ceremonies were
held.
 6. Main building. Living space for
parents.

8.  7. Small side rooms. These used for
children and extended family
members.

9. Ornamentations
 Timber wood cravings
 Roof tile cravings

10. Materials
 House Foundation -pounded earth
 Roof Tiles-Clay
 Framework systems-Wood