Stone Bridge Culture And The Rural Landscapes In Hunan Countryside

In recent years, Vernacular Architecture has been highly valued and developed, and becoming one of the hot spots of Architecture study and practice. In the past, most Architects and scholars focused on Dwelling Architecture. While except Dwelling Architecture, temples, memorial temples, pavilions, honorific arch and bridges are also Vernacular Architecture. Despite they are small in amount, yet represent profound and special meaning in cultures. There are many stone bridges in the rural areas of Hunan province. The strong vernacular spirits of these bridges are very impressive. As Original local rural architectures, these stone bridges have high study value on several aspects.The author first got the first hand information on the original stone bridges by investigations, observations and experience, then analyzing the bridge architecture from different aspects---rchitecture, landscape, folk customs, social science etc., and explore the relation between stone bridges culture and the rural landscapes.The paper first introduce the architecture history of China stone bridges; then by analyzing the current situations of the stone bridges in Hunan, discuss the architecture forms, decoration art and social function of the bridges in detail, further analyze the influence of local traditions, customs and life-style on the stone bridge architecture.Secondly, by summary the features of local stone bridge architecture culture, find out the relative factors between the rural stone bridge culture and the landscape. The author think the stone bridge is not only exist as an architecture, reflecting the local rural landscape, but also part of the special rural culture, playing an important part in the forming and layout of those quaint old villages. The paper focus on the landscape effect and the relations to men is the study features.In the end of paper, evaluation system on landscape value of rural stone bridges are presented, which could provide a standard for representative local architecture resources evaluation and conservation. And some suggestion on local stone bridges landscape conservation and development strategic are presented too. The results of the paper could provide some instructive ideas on the conservation and development of rural architecture and landscape in Hunan.