Tulou, earthen buildings in Southeast China|I Tulou, edifici in terra cruda nel sud-est della Cina

Inscribed in the UNESCO WH list since 2008, Fujian Tulou are renowned and praised all over the world for their architectural value in terms of aesthetics and sustainability as well as cultural and social identity. Tulou, namely earthen homes, raised between the 12th and 20th centuries, were built as collective clan family, homes in a structure that combines residential and community features with those of defence and security, making wise use of the only materials and resources found on site, sucn as rammed earth, bamboo, timber and stone. The research was focusea on the study of settlement principles and sustainability, the environment and the territory, the typological characteristics of the tulou as well as the structural aspects, constructive character and anti-seismic measures of the buildings. These last remind the t)pical timber frame construction found in other Chinese regions, widi an eye to seismic prevention. At this stage, the constructive typology and the structural behaviour were analysed supported by detailed surveys conducted on a significant number of circular and quadrangular buildings.