| This dissertation is concerned with a central question of how to interpret the nature of returned overseas Chinese houses and settlements in early 20 th century Xiamen. By analysing the formations, styles, building methods and technologies, these returned overseas Chinese dwellings are examined not only within a significant contemporary social and economic network linking China and Southeast Asia, but also within a local Xiamen cultural context.; The theoretical basis for the thesis comes from the views of Martin Heidegger, Levi-Strauss, Amos Rapoport, Lewis Mumford, G, William Skinner, Liu Dunzhen, Liu Zhiping, and Chinese philosophies. Sources for the argument include works of biographical history, local literature and documents, first-hand measured drawings, photographs, and interviews. These overseas Chinese dwellings, from a migration perspective, are the physical reflection of their worldviews, life experiences and cultural identity. As the carriers of migrating Chinese life through generations, these dwellings are interpreted as the multi-cultural hybrid product of Chinese architecture, Southeast Asian architecture and Western architecture. |
