ABSTRACT
The vernacular environment of China is exceedingly varied due to vast territory with a wide range of climatic conditions and different ethnic cultures. At the same time, there are common traits among the various vernacular forms expressed in principles of fengshui siting, physical layout, structure system, building materials, and decorative schema. This chapter discusses the factors that affect these vernacular forms, with an emphasis on social-cultural factors. The premise for the chapter is that vernacular architecture best demonstrates the manner in which these factors influence the building form, while allowing for a small degree of adaptation and idiosyncrasy.
