An Exploration of Underlying Consciousness of Chuan Di Xia′s Settlement Environment

Beijing Chuan Di Xia can be traced back to Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is located beside the old post way in the west of Beijing. At present, there are more than seventy units of traditional courtyard houses of Ming and Qing Dynasties and the antique features of the surroundings still survive. The dwelling suited to the historical and regional context and the profound cultural values accumulations etc., have precious historic and cultural values. Associated with the investigation of Chuan Di Xia, the paper explores the site selection, the layout, the spatial constructiveness and the underlying consciousness of Chinese traditional dwellings, unveils the common philosophic basis of traditional dwellings and offers new though for sustainable human settlements.