chapter i courtyards and beijing [1] the evolution of chinese courtyards siheyuan [2] from dadu of yuan to beijing of ming and qing [3] hutong chapter ii the basic layout of courtyards in beijing [1] the typical layout [2] parallel layout [3] courtyards with gardens [4] the landscaping of courtyards chapter iii the architectural makeup of courtyards [1] a house is divided into three parts [2] the base [3] the carpentry of the house [4] the outer walls [5] the roof [6] exterior fit-up [7] interior fit-up [8] furnishings chapter iv the types of houses in courtyards [1] the front gate [2] the festooned gate [3] the main house [4] the side houses [5] the wing houses [6] the opposite house [7] the backside house [8] the veranda [9] the screen wall and the yard wall chapter vi the construction of courtyards [1] leveling and orientation [2] ramming earth and building the bases [3] masonry [4] the processing of timber [5] tenons and mortises [6] the beam mount [7] brickwork [8] tilework [9] wooden fittings [10] carvings [11] painting and colored patterns chapter vii selected classic residential courtyards of the qingdynasty [1] prince fu's mansion [2] prince gong's mansion [3] thehouse ofchongli [4] the house of wenyu [5] the house oflinqing [6] the house ofzhang zhidong [7] the house of rongyuan [8] the house ofjiyun chapter viii courtyards that are the former residences of moderncultural luminaries [1] the former residence of lu xtra [2] the former residence of(iuo moruo [3] the former residence of kao she [4] tile former residence of mao dun [5] the former residence ofqi baishi [6] the former residence of mci lanlhng the cultural implications of courtyards and the charm of living inthem [1] fcngshui taboos [2] thc ethical order [3] isolation from the outside [4] atranquil and beautififul place [5] refined living conclusion bibliography acknowledgements illustrations