The Influencing Factors of Architectural Composition and the Arrangement of Human Settlement in Orchid Island

The Influencing Factors of Architectural Composition and the Arrangement of Human Settlement in Orchid Island

C.-J. Chen S.-T. Kuo 

Department of Creative Design and Architecture, National University of Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Department of Urban Planning, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan

Page: 
154-164
|
DOI: 
https://doi.org/10.2495/DNE-V8-N2-154-164
Received: 
N/A
| |
Accepted: 
N/A
| | Citation

OPEN ACCESS

Abstract: 

This paper analyzes the vernacular architecture and human settlement of Orchid Island. It attempts to explore the infl uencing factors of architectural composition and the arrangement of villages regarding their environmental conditions. Orchid Island is mostly populated by an aboriginal people called the Tao. Six tribes totaling 3000 people live on the island, coexisting among different cultures and traditions. The subterranean clustered buildings are the most particular confi guration of the island. These constructs demonstrate a conspicuous vernacular fi gure, refl ecting a high level of effi ciency and practicality, which corresponds with the local environment and the landscape of the island. Although the settlement space and the island’s land use change gradually due to various socio-economic factors, the traditional subterranean buildings survive; they are conserved and used primarily by two tribes called the Langdau and Yehyin. Although both tribes reside on this small island, some distinct physical differences in the buildings they use can be recognized. The goal of this research is to explore the infl uencing factors by comparing representative examples from each tribe. The study of the research consists of (i) a fi eld investigation on the confi guration of buildings and the physical difference between two tribes and (ii) a correlation analysis on the settlement arrangement and the composition of traditional buildings with their environmental conditions. This research presents the dominated infl uencing factors of buildings and the arrangement of human settlement of the island. The obvious differences between the two tribes can be specifi ed in accordance with the geological and climatic conditions.

Keywords: 

 Infl uencing factors, Orchid Island, subterranean building

  References

[1] Kuo, S.-T. & Chen, C.-J., The Sustainable Dwelling Development of Human Settlement on Orchid Island. Fourth International Conference on Sustainable Development and Planning, Cyprus, WIT Press, 2009.

[2] Chen, C.-J. & Kuo, S.-T., The infl uencing factors of architectural composition and the arrangement of human settlement in Orchid Island. Design and Nature V, Comparing Design in Nature with Science and Engineering, Conference Proceedings, eds C.A. Brebbia & A. Carpi, WIT Press: UK and University of Pisa: Italy, 2010.

[3] Suketarou, C., Aboriginal Dwellings in Taiwan (in Japanese), Tokyo, 1960.

[4] The History of my tribe (in Chinese), Government of Taitung County: Taitung, pp. 21 and 137, 2004.

[5] Huang, H., Yami’s Living Culture and Change (in Chinese), Taipei, 1995.