Main Structure of Siheyuan
Basically, Siheyuan consists of four houses facing four directions, enclosed by walls,
forming the shape of a square. Generally speaking, quadrangles are roofed with grey tiles
and built with grey bricks. The pillars are painted vermilion and the steps are made of
marble. Bricks of the wall are finely laid. The buildings on four sides are usually one
story high.
Siheyuan, as an old Chinese way of living, was also established according to the
Confucian code. Siheyuan is a type of traditional Chinese courtyard house notable for its
clear hierarchical order. There are small, medium and large quadrangles. Since they
were built in accordance with strict set of roles from the size and style, one can tell if the
quadrangles belonged to private individuals or the powerful and the rich. Stepping over
the high wooden base of the front gate of the larger examples, a brick screen is located a
few feet inside. This screen wall ensures privacy inside when the large main door 1o the courtyard is opened to admit visitors. In front of the screen is the outer courtyard,
flanked by structures to the east and west as the kitchen and servants' living quarters. A
red painted gate leads through the north wall of the outer court into the inn~ yard. The
room facing south is better than other rooms in terms of building material and decoration.
The master building is usually for senior members of the family to live in, It has the best
position which is the warmest in the winter when the sun is low in the sky, and coolest in
the summer when the sun is high for the room is shaded by the overhanging eaves. The
rooms facing east or west are for juniors, and women live in the inner courtyard. There
are at least two trees in the courtyard, which flowers n/ay produce edible fruit in summer
and fall. The courtyard may contain beautiful rocks or stones and a water supply. Most
often, there are flowers and plants inside. In the past, wealthy families were not satisfied
with a simple courtyard and would add one or more courtyards along the north-south
axis, forming courtyard complexes. When the family grew, courtyards would a]so be
with a central gate completed with a pair of stone lions on either side of the doorway. In
the boundary wall of wealthy families, there might be the family garden, pastures, a lake
or courtyards within courtyards.