Si He Yuan

Si He Yuan, or courtyard surrounded by buildings on all four sides, is a traditional Chinese style of architecture. Com- plete versions of Si He Yuan have existed in China for over 3,000 years. Due to varying geographical and climatic condi- tions, Si He Yuan display distinct forms in different regions. Beijing's Si He Yuan are the best-known example of this archi- tectural style.

A Si He Yuan is a family-based dwelling with a square courtyard in the center. It emphasizes symmetry, with clear functions and partitions. It consists of a main house for family elders, which is typically positioned to the north and south-facing with a large living room, and side houses for younger family members. There are also guest rooms, kitchens, servants' quarters, and storage rooms. A Si He Yuan typically features only one entrance, which is normally located on the southeast side rather than in the center of the courtyard. A screen wall is often placed behind the entrance for beautification and privacy purposes. The doors of the rooms inside a Si He Yuan all facethe courtyard, emphasizing family unity and harmony. The courtyard is often decorated with plants, trees, bird houses, fish tanks, and rock formations, creating a serene and peaceful environment. The idea of the basic layout of the courtyard dwelling has influenced the formation of social networks in China from extended families to neighborhoods to larger communities.

As a residential architectural form, Si He Yuan can serve as a simple, ordinary dwelling or a grand palace for royals and nobles. The feng shui principles incorporated into its architecture are a fundamental aspect of traditional Chinese architectural theory. Si He Yuan decorations, carving, and painting reflect traditional culture and folk customs, expressing people's pursuit of a happy and beautiful life.

四合院

四合院是一種中國傳統合院式建筑。“四”指東、西、南、北四面，“合”即四面房屋圍在一起。早在3000多年前，中國就有完整的四合院出現。根據不同的地理氣候條件，各地四合院呈現出不同的形態。其中以北京四合院最為典型。

四合院以家庭為單位建造，通常坐北朝南，庭院方正，空間講究對稱，功能和分區明確。整個院落以“院”為中心，長輩居住正房（北房），有大客廳，晚輩居住廂房。另有客房、廚房、傭人房、貯藏間等，各自獨立，起居方便。四合院只開一個大門，通常位于東南側而非正中，門后設有影壁，用于美化院落、遮擋視線。院內房門都開向院落，促使一家人和美相親、其樂融融。庭院內可以植樹栽花、飼鳥養魚、疊石造景，美化生活環境。基于四合院方正合圍的基本格局，中國社會逐漸形成了以家庭院落為中心，街坊鄰里為干線，社區地域為平面的社會網絡系統。

作為居住建筑形態，四合院小可作普通民居，大可作皇宮王府。其營造建筑所講究的風水學，是中國傳統建筑理論的重要組成部分。四合院裝修、雕飾、彩繪等體現著傳統文化和民間習俗，表達了人們對幸福美好生活的追求。