1. Introduction to cave dwellings in northern Shaanxi
Northern Shaanxi is located in the northern part of the Loess Plateau. Loess, clay soil, limestone, and sandstone are widely distributed. Local residents use these materials to build cave dwellings with strong local characteristics. Folk residences - cave dwellings. According to the different materials used, cave dwellings in northern Shaanxi can be divided into four types: earth kilns, interface kilns, stone kilns and brick kilns [1]. The earth kiln uses loess as the basic material and is built on the loess slope; the interface kiln is to excavate the earth kiln, and then use stones or bricks to form an arch at the entrance of the kiln to reinforce the kiln entrance; the brick kiln is built with clay bricks ; The stone kiln is built by processing the stones quarried manually using prying and blasting methods. Since stone kilns are currently quite representative in northern Shaanxi, this article takes stone kilns as the object of analysis.
The cave dwelling architecture in northern Shaanxi is quite particular. In terms of site selection for cave dwellings, in the past, local people used to ask famous local Feng Shui masters to consult before building cave dwellings. Nowadays, they are mostly based on facing the sun, leeward direction, draft, and convenient transportation. The most important thing is that the backing is firm, the soil is solid, and the location is protected from the wind. Gully. In terms of construction technology, the cave dwellings make full use of the circular arch bearing principle similar to an arched bridge, ensuring the stability and safety of the cave dwellings. In terms of materials, cave dwellings make full use of the unique local soil and stone resources. In terms of life, cave dwellings in northern Shaanxi embody a traditional ecological thought of Tao following nature, harmony of nature and man, and harmony between man and nature.
2. The low-carbon concept in the architectural art of cave dwellings in northern Shaanxi
The low-carbon economy has made low-carbon buildings a general trend in the development of the construction industry. The concept of low-carbon economy first appeared in the 2003 British energy white paper "Building a Low-Carbon Society". It is an economic model based on low energy consumption, low pollution, and low emissions. Its essence is efficient use of energy, development of clean energy, and the pursuit of green GDP. On the road to developing a low-carbon economy, "energy saving" and "low carbon" in buildings are destined to become unavoidable topics. Developing low-carbon buildings means reducing the use of fossil energy, increasing the application of clean energy such as solar energy, wind energy, and bioenergy, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions throughout the entire life cycle of building materials and equipment manufacturing, construction, and building use. .
Based on the concepts of low-carbon economy and low-carbon construction, the low-carbon ideas contained in cave dwellings in northern Shaanxi can be summarized in the following aspects:
(1) Conservation concept. Cave dwellings in northern Shaanxi have outstanding features in saving cultivated land and land. Cave dwelling buildings are generally built along the slope according to the mountain shape of the terrain. The indoor space is obtained through horizontal excavation, and the original land is used as the cave walls and roof to the maximum extent. The northern Shaanxi region itself is mainly mountainous, and there is very little flat arable land available. The cave dwellings were built on the hillsides, which is conducive to protecting the limited arable land and land. In particular, the original soil excavated during the construction process of Yayao can also be used to fill slopes and create land. This subtraction method essentially contains great potential for saving land. In addition, the cost-saving principle in cave dwelling construction is also very obvious. Cave dwellings in northern Shaanxi make use of the rich local loess and stone resources, and the mining cost is low or even zero. Loess is easy to excavate, the labor required in exchange for material resources is not very onerous, and the labor cost during the construction process is low. The raw soil formed during the excavation process is used to build earthen platforms, earthen equipment, earthen furniture, etc. After being made into raw adobe, it can also be used to build cave entrance walls and fire pits, saving the use of bricks.
(2) Energy saving concept. There are many energy-saving concepts in cave dwellings in northern Shaanxi. During the construction process, manual labor is mainly used, and mechanical equipment is rarely used. Gasoline and other raw materials are almost not used as power raw materials. The carbon emissions during the entire construction process are very small. In terms of construction technology, arched domes are used in stone kiln construction. Mud and gravel are poured into the gaps between the arched stone kiln roofs. The stability is very good, replacing the need for cement and steel bars, and thus indirectly helping to reduce carbon emissions. In terms of thermal insulation, loess has good heat insulation and heat storage functions. Most of the cave dwellings are wrapped in a thick layer of soil. The indoor temperature changes very little between day and night. In addition, the cave dwellings themselves are generally built facing the sun. Overall, Warm in winter and cool in summer, reducing the consumption of electricity, carbon and firewood. In terms of internal design, cave dwellings in northern Shaanxi generally connect the kang, stove, and chimney. The heat in the stove passes through the curved channel designed inside the kang, which can heat a larger area of ??the kang body, improving the efficient use of energy. .
(3) Environmental protection concept. The cave dwellings in northern Shaanxi also shine with environmental protection.
In the decoration of the cave dwellings, the internal walls and roof are mainly plastered with mud made of a mixture of native soil and wheat straw. The external walls are made of fine-grained stones chiseled manually, or square stones made with a hammer are used to make the stone kiln. In general, the decoration is mainly based on local materials, and does not involve any building materials that contain chemical components or can volatilize harmful gases. In addition, cave dwellings have the functions of thermal insulation, air and earthquake prevention, noise isolation, and radioactive material blocking in the atmosphere. Living in cave dwellings for a long time is less likely to suffer from asthma, rheumatism, skin diseases and other diseases. In addition, in the long run, even if the cave dwelling becomes obsolete or collapses, it will be easier to dismantle it. The original raw soil will become mature soil after experiencing a series of weathering and complex changes and return to nature for reuse. The construction waste ultimately formed by the cave dwelling will There is no damage to the natural environment.
(4) Concept of harmony. As a classic folk residence, cave dwellings in northern Shaanxi also reflect the harmonious coexistence between man and nature and between man and man. Cave dwellings in northern Shaanxi rely on nature in a natural way, and nature accepts humans in a human way. People, nature, cave dwellings and villages are integrated into one. The architectural tones of cave dwellings generally adopt the original tones of building materials. Yellow and blue-grey are the two main colors of cave dwellings, which complement the true colors of the Loess Plateau. As a carrier of culture, cave dwellings also inherit the simple tradition of the ancestors. During the day, what you see is a sky-like dome, an open scene covering the surrounding fields, with the sky as a quilt and the ground as a bed. Sleeping on an earthen kang at night, breathing the fresh mountain breeze, feeling the pulse of the earth, and living in a shrinking universe like a cave dwelling for a long time, people can suddenly feel enlightened, without feeling depressed or restrained. The open quality of the cave dwellings has also cultivated the peaceful, honest and enthusiastic simple folk customs and rough and unrestrained character of the people of northern Shaanxi. They respect the old and love the young, cooperate with each other, integrate with each other, have close and harmonious neighborhood relations, and have an inner unity between man and nature. .
3. Enlightenment of low-carbon concepts in cave dwelling construction in northern Shaanxi
(1) Building development should always adhere to the concept of being suitable for the location and relying on local advantages. The energy-saving concept of cave dwellings in northern Shaanxi is reflected in their ability to efficiently utilize local natural conditions and integrate energy conservation into every detail. This quality has made northern Shaanxi cave dwellings endure for thousands of years. It can be seen from this that in the development of buildings, we should not look far away. We should try to use the most environmentally friendly and green building materials in the local area or surrounding areas, and develop local wind energy, solar energy and other natural energy sources for buildings as much as possible, thereby reducing the building's impact on traditional energy. Dependence makes the building itself possess strong vitality and healthy body.
(2) Re-examine the relationship between architecture and people. The cave dwelling architecture in northern Shaanxi is based on people, humanistic, has good practicality and comfort, and has a strong tradition of simple ancestors, fully embodying the principle of "people are the main body, and architecture serves people". In modern buildings, although people live in the same building, they never interact with each other. The coldness and indifference of steel bars and concrete suppresses people's inner nature of pursuing harmony and friendship. To develop low-carbon buildings, we should vigorously create humanized architectural patterns and communities, completely eliminate the dilemma of buildings constraining, constraining, and oppressing people, and realize the dominant position of people in architecture.
(3) Reshape the relationship between architecture and nature. Cave dwellings in northern Shaanxi are integrated with nature. Cave dwellings are born from nature, close to the earth, and return to nature. This enlightens us that low-carbon buildings must insist on starting from nature, always embodying the basic principle that architecture is an inseparable body of nature, integrating with nature, and being accepted by nature. In particular, the entire life cycle of a building from birth to death should minimize its negative impact on nature and the environment, and buildings should avoid becoming a heavy burden on environmental development.