Adaptive spatial genotypes in Thai Lue houses across rural–town–urban contexts: A space syntax study in Xishuangbanna, China
Rapid urbanization in Xishuangbanna has transformed Thai Lue dwellings from traditional timber stilt houses to reinforced concrete structures, raising questions about the continuity of cultural identity. This study investigates the possibility of persistence of the spatial genotype, the deep social logic governing space, by analyzing 24 contemporary houses distributed across rural, town, and urban contexts relative to two traditional prototypes. Using space syntax methodology to quantify spatial sequence, functional integration, and privacy levels, the research reveals that while the architectural phenotype has shifted, the underlying configurational order remains resilient. Analysis of the relative difference factor demonstrates that contemporary dwellings maintain a degree of structural differentiation comparable to the traditional baseline. Furthermore, the study identifies three specific adaptation mechanisms that sustain this logic: topological compression, where the family shrine retains sacred depth through layered segmentation despite morphological compression; functional substitution, where the gatekeeping role shifts from traditional courtyards to transitional interfaces; and vertical displacement, where the social center in urban high-rises decouples from the infrastructure-dominated syntactic core to be re-established in rooftop spaces. These findings suggest that Thai Lue identity persists through a dynamic topological logic capable of inhabiting new typologies, offering a new perspective for assessing vernacular continuity beyond material preservation.
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