1. What parts does a quadrangle generally consist of?
There are several courtyard-entrance criteria, including the first courtyard, the second courtyard, the third courtyard, the fourth courtyard and even the fifth courtyard. The original Wang Yefu house in Beijing can still reach the ninth courtyard. Besides the main courtyard in the middle road, there are east and west courtyards on both sides, which can be described as "deep house courtyard". Let's take the most basic quadrangles as an example to explain the basic components of quadrangles.
A courtyard generally consists of a north room (the main room), an east-west wing room and a south room (the inverted room), which are located in the four directions of southeast and northwest, and form a quadrangle because they enclose a square space. The most formal quadrangle in Beijing is located in an east-west alley, facing south. Siheyuan usually has a north-south central axis, a north-south longitudinal axis and east-west symmetry.
Schematic diagram of quadrangles in Beijing Second Hospital
There is an ear room, a back cover room and a veranda.
1. Principal House (North House)
The principal room is the place where the elders in the family live, and it is the most important and important room in the quadrangle. In the quadrangles where ordinary people live, there are usually three main rooms, one bright and two dark or two bright and one dark. The base of the main house is relatively high and the area is relatively large, which is an important place to show the economic strength of this family.
2. East and West Wing
The east and west wing rooms are located on the east and west sides of the quadrangle, where the children in the family live. However, the status of the east wing and the west wing is different. The east wing is revered, generally the eldest son or son lives, and the west wing is humble, where the illegitimate son or the second son lives. Due to the different status, the pedestal of the east wing will be several inches higher than that of the west wing, but it is difficult to detect with the naked eye.
3. South Room (Inverted Room)
The windows and doors of the south room face north, close to the side of the hutong, and generally do not open windows. There is basically no sunshine all year round, so it is generally for the servants in the government to live in. The location of the south room is far away from the location of the north and the east and west wing rooms. Usually, there are hanging doors and verandahs in the middle to separate the south room from the other three rooms.
In the quadrangles with the second courtyard and the third courtyard, there will be wing rooms on the east and west sides of the main room, and the hand-written veranda connected with the east and west wing rooms. There is also a back cover room on the north side of the main room, which is generally the place where the daughter lives. Larger quadrangles have the same design, but will be set as different functional rooms, such as adding study and small living room.
Schematic diagram of middle courtyard of quadrangle
The courtyard of the quadrangle is located in the middle of the quadrangle, where chairs, fish tanks and green plants can be placed.
2. What are the characteristics of Beijing quadrangles?
Siheyuan has the characteristics of different sizes, good privacy, more greening and less water features, and more meanings.
1. The scale varies.
The construction regulations of quadrangles in Beijing are the same, but the scale is not uniform. According to the scale of quadrangles, they are mainly divided into big quadrangles, middle quadrangles and small quadrangles. Among them, the big four-in-one is generally a compound quadrangle, also known as? Dazhaimen? It is composed of many small quadrangles with many courtyards, which can be divided into front yard, backyard, east yard and west yard. The scale of the middle quadrangle is smaller than that of the big quadrangle, which mainly includes five north rooms, three straight ears and three east and west rooms. In addition, the front and rear courtyards are often separated by courtyard walls. Small Sihe only has three north rooms, two east and west rooms and three south rooms. The big quadrangle is generally used as the official residence, while the middle quadrangle and the small quadrangle are generally the residences of ordinary residents.
Model drawing of compound quadrangle
The scale of quadrangles can extend from north to south, or from east to west.
2. Good privacy
The walls of the quadrangle enclose the room in an independent space with strong privacy. The houses in the quadrangle are independent. Although there are verandahs connecting each other and all the doors are open to the courtyard, they are self-contained behind closed doors, so that the family can have close contact and give their own space.
Real-life map of quadrangle outer wall
The walls of quadrangles are basically closed, so they are highly private.
3. More greening and less waterscape
In Beijing quadrangles, there are few landscapes, and most of them are decorated with plants and flowers. Due to the climate in Beijing, many plants are planted in the hospital, such as begonia, magnolia, pomegranate and peony, but never pine and cypress, mulberry and pear trees. There are many fish tanks in the courtyard, which can not only be used for viewing, but also adjust the air in the courtyard.
Real scene map of quadrangle courtyard
More trees and flowers are planted in the courtyard, and there are few landscapes.
4. There are many meanings
Every construction, every decoration, every flower and plant of the quadrangle has its unique meaning. The building of the quadrangle itself, facing south, means righteousness, so the main house is in the north. The decoration, carving and painting of the buildings in the courtyard are mostly words or patterns such as orchids, longevity and happiness, which show people's pursuit of happiness, beauty, wealth and auspiciousness.
Real scene of quadrangle decoration
Shouzi screen wall symbolizes the longevity and well-being of the owner of quadrangles.
Third, what is the emphasis on the architectural design of quadrangles?
The buildings of Beijing quadrangles should be set up according to certain rules, from site selection and location to determining the specific scale of each building. The decoration, carving and painting of quadrangles also reflect folk customs and traditional culture everywhere, and the green plants placed and planted in the courtyard also have certain meanings.
1. Architectural features
The north-south axis of Beijing quadrangle is symmetrical, and the gate of quadrangle is not opposite to the door of the main house, and is set in the southeast direction. The enclosure of Beijing quadrangle courtyard is mainly based on the back gables of four houses, and the short and strong joints are connected at the disconnection point, which saves building materials and homestead to the greatest extent. The courtyard in the middle is basically a square when viewed from the plane, and the houses in the east, west, south and north directions in the courtyard are independent, all of which have opened a certain distance. Then it is connected in series by the veranda at the corner and the eaves gallery in front of the house, which is sparse but not loose.
Scene map of quadrangle gate
There is a fixed emphasis on the direction of door opening.
2. Pay attention to decoration
All kinds of decoration, carving and painting in Beijing quadrangles have auspicious meanings everywhere.
Use bats to represent happiness, and use longevity characters or peach patterns to mean it? Longevity , with exhausted graphic meaning? Celebration? Or? Celebrate? With plum, orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum and other patterns, it is a metaphor for the lofty and otherworldly owner of the quadrangle. Gentleman? Peony and magnolia are used to express elegance and wealth, and gourd, pomegranate and grape are used to compare many children and grandchildren.
Common patterns? Step by step? Display diagram
It reflects people's desire to keep forging ahead and embark on a bright future step by step
3. The room setting reflects the owner's status
In ancient times, people's status in the family was different, and there was an order of honor and inferiority. In addition to the status in the title, the house allocated for living would also be reflected. Due to the influence of light, the lighting in the main room is good, and the lighting in the east-west wing and the south wing is the worst. Houses are sorted by size and quality, and the order from good to bad is the main room, the east-west wing room, the back cover room, the wing room and the south room. The most distinguished person in the family lives in a first room with good lighting and high specifications.
The quadrangle in Beijing has a history of more than 3,000 years. Every setting in the quadrangle can reflect the family's ethics and patriarchal clan system, and it is the carrier of China's traditional culture.
This content is only applicable in Beijing.