Houses of China

Christy Conte is a member of the Parents Advisory Committee at the
YMCA’s Parent and Child Enrichment Centre and a journalist.

In Houses of China, author Bonnie Shemie examines eight different types
of homes that have been developed by the Chinese in response to their
environment. As in her Native Dwellings series, the author is able to
bring the inanimate structures to life through a text rich in cultural,
geographical, and philosophical detail. From humble farmhouses and
Mongolian yurts to the elaborate courtyard homes of the Chinese elite,
Shemie describes layouts, building materials, and living routines. Her
illustrations are detailed and colorful; several are cleverly drawn as
cutaways, showing both interior and exterior views.

Because architecture in China is closely linked to Confucianism and the
philosophy of feng shui, Houses in China is by necessity more than just
a well-researched study of architectural forms. Shemie provides insights
into the way family members relate to each other, as well as how, when,
and where a home should be built. This book would be a useful resource
in the schools for units on architecture, history, Asian cultures, and
geography. Recommended.