RESEARCH ON THE SPATIAL STRUCTURE CHARACTERISTICS AND CULTURAL LOGIC OF THE BUILDINGS IN GAOTAI RESIDENTIAL AREA

บทคัดย่อ

As a representative traditional residential settlement in Kashgar, Xinjiang, the Gaotai Residential Area embodies the long-term interaction of terrain, climate, social life, and local building knowledge. Based on field observation, image documentation, and literature review, this study examines the settlement from three closely related aspects: macro site-selection and settlement pattern, spatial organization including vertical stratification and public-private transition, and the cultural logic and ecological adaptability embedded in its architectural space.

          The results correspond directly to these objectives. First, the macro pattern of the settlement is shaped by the loess-cliff landform and the urban edge condition, forming a stepped and compact texture that follows contour lines and controls access. Second, its spatial organization combines vertical layering, dense neighborhood units, and graded transitions from alleys to porches and courtyards, thereby improving land-use efficiency while supporting everyday interaction and privacy. Third, the architectural space expresses Uyghur family life and religious practice while responding effectively to the arid climate through thick earthen walls, narrow shaded alleys, natural ventilation, and locally adapted construction techniques. The study shows that Gaotai is both a culturally meaningful and ecologically responsive dwelling system, and it provides a useful reference for heritage conservation and regional architectural design.