Architectural Genealogy of Traditional Tibetan Dwellings in Western Sichuan: A Material–Technology–Space Approach for Genealogy-Oriented Interpretation and Its Implications for Contemporary Translation

As a typical representative of traditional architecture in western Sichuan, the construction techniques of traditional Tibetan dwellings carry profound cultural significance. However, with the continuous advancement of urbanization, these dwellings face multiple challenges, including the loss of traditional construction methods, functional obsolescence, and stylistic deviation. In response, the systematic study of the architectural genealogy of traditional Tibetan dwellings and their modernization has become an urgent academic issue. This study focuses on Ganzi and Aba, the two major Tibetan settlement areas in western Sichuan, conducting field surveys across 21 counties, 31 typical villages, and 161 traditional Tibetan dwellings. It systematically analyzes the building techniques of these dwellings and identifies recurrent typological features. On this basis, the paper interprets three principal regionalized constructive patterns through a genealogy-oriented analytical framework. The resulting framework provides an evidence-based foundation for conservation planning and context-sensitive contemporary translation. This research not only offers operational methods and theoretical support for the preservation of Tibetan architecture, but also proposes principles and strategies.