Characteristics and periodization of self-built houses in the Quanzhou coastal area based on archaeological typology method (late 19th century to early 21st century)

This study examines the typological evolution and classification of self-built houses in the coastal region of Quanzhou from the late 19th century to the early 21st century. Using archaeological typology methods, the research classifies 225 residential buildings into two main categories—courtyard houses and freestanding houses—analyzing their story additions, entrance façades, spatial layouts, and material transitions. It questions previous binary classifications of traditional versus westernized styles, emphasizing a nuanced, non-linear historical development shaped by overseas connections, socio-economic contexts, and evolving construction techniques. This paper establishes a foundation for further research on residential evolution that incorporates broader social and historical analyses.