The construction
of Clan homes in Fujian
Jens Aaberg-Jřrgensen
Zhenchenglou, Hongkeng
Originally published in Danish in ARKITEKTEN no. 28, November 2000, pp. 2-9.
Text and illustrations have been updated for the web edition. (JAA-J, 2003-04).
Click here to go the survey of the circular tulou
Zhenchenglou in Hongkeng village
The foundation
is of large rounded stones from the local river, filled out with smaller stone. In this frost-free region the foundation's function is purely to support the weight of the building.
normally 60-90 centimetres high, is also of large stones, the largest of which are placed at the core of the wall. Both sides are plastered with clay.
The terre pisé technique, labour-intensive but cheap, is widespread in China. The erection of such high walls requires fine sedimentary mud from the rice fields, the very same mud that makes for a rich and productive agriculture.
(Olivier Laude, Unique Habitats, p. 163-173 in ‘Village Landscapes’, ed. by Ronald Knapp, Hawaii, 1992).
(According to Ronald G. Knapp: China's Old Dwelling, Honolulu 2000, p. 260 and 266, the use of the term earthen dwellings and tulou is a misnomer. Some tulou were actually constructed completely of cut granite or had substantial walls of fired brick. Most large-scale tulou seen today were built of a composite material known as sanhetu rather than just earth. In calling these structures "tulou", however, one must be careful to qualify the term as a broadly descriptive label for a building type rather than as a narrow term defining a specific building material).
Zhenchenglou, Hongkeng
Rushenglou, Hongkeng
The stamping is carried out with the use of a wooden frame, 2 metres long, which is used as a mould. This is filled with suitable type of mud, or a mixture of earth, sand and lime called sanhetu, then pounded with a stone or a thick staff.
Maximum strength is obtained if each layer is allowed to dry slowly and
cojpletely before the next layer is applied. The wall is further strengthened
if allowed to dry gradually, before the next layer is built on top.The
wall is reinforced with split bamboo canes
or, in the case of corners, L-shaped cedar branches. The outer wall leans
inward to counteract the outward forces and in the case of the circular
tulou aids the support of the cantilevered wooden construction.
The pressure also increases the wall's resistance to erosion. (Ole
Vanggaard, personal communication, 1999).
Stamping the outer wall
The mould
In the past all the tulou in the locality were whitewashed. (John Lagerwey, personal communication, 1997). This protected the facade against rain, and also reflected solar heat, helping to reduce overheating, a useful effect in the south Chinese summer. I saw very few completely whitewashed buildings. Whitewash was applied only to the window frames.
Whitewashed tulou
The wooden structure
includes all decks and columns and is built in parallel with the completion of each terre pisé floor level, with the outer wall and columns bearing the beams. Almost everything but the outer wall and roof cladding is constructed of wood, normally pine. The wooden flooring is fastened with wooden pegs, singed in hot sand to increase durability.
stabilises the tulou and in some cases is used to subdivide the building.
Outhanging eaves
Wooden construction,
fire wall
The roof construction
The large tulou require about a year per floor to build. After three or four years the top floor is reached and the roof construction can begin. It takes a year to complete with a slightly downward-curving cladding of grey locally fired tile.
The remaining interior construction is of wood (partitioning walls, stairs, flooring, doors, windows etc.) and takes a further year to build.
Overhanging eaves
Stairs
Roof