Since 2004, the so-called new siheyuan – the modernized siheyuan (traditional Chinese house type) - has emerged in earnest. Over the past two decades, the new siheyuan has undergone continuous evolution in terms of program, structure, space, and form. To achieve a comprehensive understanding of the diverse forms of the new siheyuan , this paper aims to classify its varieties and analyze representative cases in the old Bejing city, corresponding to these. The classification system utilized the typology presented in ‘Type Classification of Contemporary Hanok’ (2016), as this was considered to be universal and takes into account the commonalities between hanok and siheyuan . The criteria for the classification are: (1) new construction or renovation; and (2) the degree of the new siheyuan ’s deviation from the traditional siheyuan ’s standard - maintaining the traditional form; changing space within the traditional form; changing the traditional frame; and juxtaposing the traditional and the modern. Based on these two criteria, this paper identified eight types of the new siheyuan and analyzed representative cases for each type. It can be argued that the diverse spectrum and significance of the new siheyuan were effectively explored through this typological classification and case-studies.

Siheyuan, is the traditional Chinese courtyard style building, has a long history, and is an extremely important historical and cultural heritage. It carries the folk culture of old Beijing and the history of the old Beijing. Therefore, its cultural connotation should be maintained. With the growing number of skyscrapers, construction industrialization replacing traditional construction technology today, hutongs and Siheyuan have lost their luster, most of the traditional Siheyuan have become shabby, inner vitality and old form that were the social mechanism are rotting away. Just relying on protection and repair Siheyun is far from a healthy survival. Instead development and innovation is needed for a vibrant sustainable preservation of Siheyuan. In order to make Siheyuan more comfortable, more vibrant and to achieve its sustainable development, it should be combined with modern materials and construction technology.

Siheyuan, is the traditional Chinese courtyard style building, has a long history, and is an extremely important historical and cultural heritage. It carries the folk culture of old Beijing and the history of the old Beijing. Therefore, its cultural connotation should be maintained. With the growing number of skyscrapers, construction industrialization replacing traditional construction technology today, hutongs and Siheyuan have lost their luster, most of the traditional Siheyuan have become shabby, inner vitality and old form that were the social mechanism are rotting away. Just relying onprotection and repair Siheyun is far from a healthy survival. Instead development and innovation is needed for a vibrant sustainable preservation of Siheyuan. In order to make Siheyuan more comfortable, more vibrant and to achieve its sustainable development, it should be combined with modern materials and construction technology.