Former Residence of Xu Puan

Former Residence of Xu Puan

The Former Residence of Xu Puan is a protected cultural heritage site of Tianjin.

Former Residence of Xu Puan

Era: Late Qing and Early Republican Periods

Address: No. 202, Dongmenli, Nankai District, Tianjin

Category: Historic Architecture

The Former Residence of Xu Puan is situated at the northeast corner of the intersection of Dongmenli and Chengxiang East Road. Constructed in the early Republican period, it was originally the home of Xu Puan, the first comprador of the British Mercantile Bank. The building adopts traditional Chinese minor architectural techniques, utilizing blue bricks and a flush-gable roof. The entire structure faces south, with the main gate positioned in the southeast corner according to feng shui principles. The central axis consists of three courtyards, flanked on both sides by arrow alleys. The gate tower and decorative brick carvings on the gable ends are exquisitely crafted. It is one of the more intact examples of a traditional three-courtyard, four-section compound residence in Tianjin’s old urban area.

The Former Residence of Xu Puan is one of the larger and better-preserved examples of modern residential architecture in Tianjin’s old city.

It employs the traditional Chinese courtyard-style brick-and-timber structural system, with the central axis formed by three successive courtyards. The roof is covered with grey tiles and features a flush-gable design. The walls are made of precisely jointed, finely processed bricks, reflecting the traditional Chinese minor architectural style. The arrow alleys on both the east and west sides are distinctive features of Tianjin residences, while the feng shui layout of a "Qian house with an Xun gate" and the overall courtyard arrangement are common in Beijing residences. The roof, with its combination of tubular and flat tiles, also incorporates stylistic elements from southern China. The architectural form and its high level of preservation are rare within the urban area of Tianjin. The gate tower, gable decorations, and the undersides of the wall eaves retain a large number of finely carved brick ornaments. These intricate carvings feature rich patterns and numerous auspicious motifs, such as “Squirrel and Grapes,” “White Ape Offering Longevity,” “Five Blessings Surrounding Longevity,” “Peace in Four Seasons,” and “Deer and Crane in Spring,” making them masterpieces of brick carving craftsmanship.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Protected Cultural Heritage Sites of Tianjin