1. Introduction
Traditional architecture in Yunnan Province holds significant cultural value as a precious heritage in China, representing the diverse ethnic cultures of southern China and embodying rich historical memories, cultural connotations, and artistic values [
1]. These traditional buildings seamlessly integrate the artistic styles of various Chinese ethnic minorities, evident in their decoration, structure, and layout, thus showcasing the unique regional culture of Yunnan. The development of the social economy and the flourishing tourism industry has led to the inevitable trend of modernizing and transforming traditional dwellings in Yunnan [
2], gradually transforming them into places that cater to the contemporary needs of tourists seeking cultural experiences, leisure, and immersion in traditional culture. However, the modernization of traditional dwellings faces numerous challenges [
3], such as striking a delicate balance between preserving traditional features and meeting commercial needs, ensuring the transformation scheme aligns with customer preferences, safeguarding and perpetuating the traditional culture, and promoting sustainable development.
The modernization, transformation, and sustainable development of traditional dwellings have long been subjects of great concern. Cheng [
4] conducted a study on the spatial sequence of buildings within the context of conservation and renewal practices of traditional tribal buildings in Huizhou, South Anhui Province. The acquired data underwent vector analysis to determine specific measurement indexes, facilitating the exploration of the compositional principles of architectural units. This study emphasizes the importance of spatial sequence in conserving and renewing traditional buildings, offering a feasible technical route from a fresh perspective. Rao [
5] investigated the spatial layout characteristics of traditional buildings in the eastern part of Zhejiang Province, along with the specific usage of different spaces by various users, using “full line” analysis in spatial syntax. The study examined the relationships between different users and distinct spaces, proposed utilization patterns of internal space within traditional buildings, and explored their connections with traditional culture. These findings provided valuable insights for subsequent renovation and preservation planning of historical buildings. Cho [
6] explored the transformation and development of traditional hanok buildings in South Korea over the past two decades. Focusing on the historical buildings of Jeollanam-do, the study classified traditional buildings into five major categories based on their characteristics, investigating their scale of use, cost, vintage, design, and other dimensions. The study presented diverse directions for preserving traditional buildings and guiding their future development. In an effort to avoid superficial and inappropriate interventions in traditional architecture, Porto [
7] explored a representationally based model for the development of traditional rural architecture. Taking Italian traditional architecture as an example, the study aimed to preserve the continuity, function, type, and stylistic features of traditional architecture based on its representation and the needs of the specific area, promoting sustainable development through precise planning. Rong [
8] delved into the development of innovative practices of courtyard architecture in Shandong Province under Confucianism. The study explored the local regional culture, historical memory, and spatial narrative based on Confucianism, identifying and assessing the sense of place of the local architectural heritage. A comprehensive dialectical analysis of the architecture was conducted, providing new strategies for the practical development of traditional architecture.
After reviewing relevant domestic and international studies, it becomes apparent that most current research on the transformation and sustainable development of traditional buildings primarily focuses on specific groups and single aspects. Unfortunately, they often neglect to consider the impact of regional culture and environment on the overall design. Furthermore, the transformation of traditional residential buildings is a multifaceted issue that involves various stakeholders, including government entities, residents, tourists, experts, and developers. Additionally, the process of renovating traditional residential buildings lacks objective data support and systematic methodologies, as the understanding of user needs and the determination of quality characteristics largely rely on the subjective perspective of architects.
To address the aforementioned challenges, this study adopts the AHP-QFD model to explore innovative approaches for retrofitting traditional residential buildings. The AHP approach facilitates the transformation of subjective judgments into quantitative indicators, establishing a systematic decision-making framework that aids in identifying commercial retrofitting goals and weighing the significance of various factors. Kam et al. conducted a study on building retrofitting in Malaysia, utilizing AHP to rank design requirements and prioritize stakeholder needs [
9]. In a similar vein, Chen et al. combined multiple models to offer a scientific decision-making method for construction industry practitioners in selecting suppliers [
10]. The QFD methodology tightly integrates customer requirements with product design, reflecting a customer-centric approach and emphasizing teamwork and continuous improvement. In 2016, Ignatius proposed an integrated approach employing QFD, AHP, and fuzzy theory to evaluate green building performance in Malaysia [
11]. Moreover, John utilized QFD to control the quality of design and construction aspects in a building project, resulting in improved customer satisfaction concerning design solutions, cost, and project delivery time [
12]. Building upon these studies, we discovered that combining AHP with QFD effectively captures and analyzes both the voice of the customer (VOC) and the voice of the expert (VOE), providing a comprehensive and objective assessment of the retrofitting scheme. Consequently, this ensures that the commercial retrofitting aligns harmoniously with the characteristics of the traditional dwelling [
13].
This study explores the effectiveness of the AHP-QFD method in the architectural design of traditional residential buildings in Yunnan. The renovation of traditional residential buildings in Wenzhi Village, Lijiang, serving as an example, is examined. To determine preliminary design requirements, the project team collected data from various sources, including field surveys, interviews, questionnaires, literature reviews, and expert consultations. The weights of tourists, government, and professional practitioners in assessing the design requirements were established using the AHP method. Additionally, a competitive survey of local B&Bs with traditional characteristics in Lijiang was conducted to obtain more accurate design requirements. After comprehensive data collection and market research, a house of quality (HOQ) matrix was constructed, linking customer requirements to design specifications and quality features. Subsequently, the results of the HOQ were incorporated into the design practice [
14,
15]. The findings indicate that the integrated AHP-QFD model effectively balances the preservation of traditional culture with the pursuit of commercial value during the modernization process of traditional residential houses in Lijiang. This study holds significant importance for both the theory and practice of commercial renovation design of traditional residential houses in China. Furthermore, it provides innovative ideas and methodologies for the renovation and preservation of traditional buildings in the Yunnan region of China.
3. Materials and Approaches
3.1. Customers’ Needs and Requirements (Voice of Customer, VoC)
The project team conducted a study in Lijiang to gather feedback from B&B customers. Through interviews and open discussions with B&B owners and patrons, the team gained valuable insights and addressed the concerns of the design committee, leading to more precise design requirements for the renovation of traditional residences in Lijiang. Additionally, the team conducted comprehensive interviews with local organizations dedicated to preserving traditional culture in Lijiang, Yunnan Province, aiming to understand their expectations and design requirements [
32].
3.2. Determining the Order of Priority with the AHP Method by Grouping Customer Expectations
The design requirements for traditional residential residences in Lijiang are multifaceted and diverse, necessitating differentiation based on a wide range of factors. The AHP decomposes the decision problem into three levels (i.e., objective, criterion, and solution) and determines the relative significance among these levels by constructing a judgment matrix and calculating the weight vector [
33]. The main process of employing AHP analysis for the renovation of traditional residences in Lijiang is outlined as follows: First, the AHP questionnaire was created and distributed to gather data (AHP Questionnaire as
Appendix A Table A1); then, the collected responses were used to derive the judgment matrix for each level based on the assessment system’s criteria. Next, the weight vector for each level was calculated using the geometric mean approach, following a specific operational process. Utilizing the AHP approach helped overcome the limitations of traditional QFD models, such as subjectivity, inconsistency, and challenges in handling qualitative and quantitative data [
33,
34,
35].
One of the most common methods to obtain pairwise comparisons is by employing Saaty’s AHP preferences on a scale of 1–9, where values represent the relative significance or preference of one element over another [
35]. For instance, a value of 1 indicates equal significance, 3 indicates moderate significance, and 9 indicates extreme significance. The matrix is then constructed based on these pairwise comparisons, which can be normalized and averaged to derive the weights of the elements. Various approaches exist for normalizing and averaging matrices, such as the eigenvalue approach, geometric mean approach, and logarithmic least squares approach [
36]. Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages, and the resulting outcomes may vary depending on the consistency and completeness of the pairwise comparisons [
37]. Therefore, Saaty’s 1–9 level AHP preferences should be used to select the appropriate approach for determining the weights in AHP analysis [
38]. The following are the specific steps for determining the weights using Saaty’s preference levels 1–9 in the AHP analysis [
39,
40,
41,
42,
43,
44,
45]:
A pairwise comparison matrix (PCM) is constructed for the criteria, with each element, termed
aij, representing the preference of criterion
i over criterion
j on a 1–9 scale. For example,
aij = 3 indicates that criterion
i is moderately more important than criterion
j, whereas
aij = 1/7 reveals that criterion
i is very weakly less important than criterion
j. The diagonal elements of the PCM are always set to 1, and the reciprocal property holds:
aij = 1/
aij [
39,
40,
41,
42,
43,
44,
45].
The eigenvalue and eigenvector of the PCM are computed using a suitable approach, such as the power approach or the Jacobi approach. The eigenvector corresponding to the largest eigenvalue represents the normalized weight vector of the criteria, ensuring that the sum equals 1. The eigenvalue provides insight into the consistency of the PCM: the closer it is to
n (the number of criteria), the more consistent the PCM becomes [
39,
40,
41,
42,
43,
44,
45].
The paragraph examines the consistency ratio (CR) of the PCM, which is defined as CR = (CI/RI), with CI representing the consistency index and RI indicating the random index. The calculation of CI is given as CI = (
λmax −
n)/(
n − 1), where λ
max is the largest eigenvalue, and
n is the number of criteria. The constant value RI depends on
n and can be obtained from a table. A widely used threshold for CR is 0.1: if CR ≤ 0.1, the PCM is deemed acceptable; otherwise, revision is required [
39,
40,
41,
42,
43,
44,
45].
To obtain the respective weights of each sub-criterion and alternative under their respective criterion, repeat steps 1–3. Then, aggregate the weights of the sub-criteria and alternatives using a bottom-up approach to determine the overall weights of the alternatives and rank them accordingly.
3.3. Determination of Technical Require
After identifying the users’ demands, the subsequent step involved determining the quality characteristics for the design. To achieve this, interviews and field research were conducted with customers, B&B owners, government agencies, and expert technicians. The gathered needs were then consolidated and organized to pinpoint essential technical requirements that held paramount importance in the renovation and implementation of traditional Yunnan residential buildings. Subsequently, detailed descriptions of each key technical requirement were provided, ensuring clarity, comprehensibility, and actionable guidance. Moreover, the technical requirements were tailored to align with the distinctive aspects of Yunnan traditional architecture, encompassing materials, structure, form, and decoration, as well as the imperative to preserve traditional elements and cultural heritage. This customization ensured that the technical requirements harmoniously blended with the local characteristics of Yunnan traditional residential architecture.
3.4. Build Relationship Matrix
After establishing the user requirements and the quality characteristics of the design, the project team proceeded to construct the relationship matrix between user requirements and quality characteristics. Within the central part of the quality house, the strength of correlation between customers’ requirements and quality characteristics was quantified using numerical values. For instance, “0” indicates no correlation, “1” represents a very weak correlation, “3” denotes a weak correlation, “5” signifies a medium correlation, “7” stands for a strong correlation, and “9” suggests a very strong correlation. Additionally, the significance of each quality characteristic was calculated, measuring its combined influence on customers’ requirements.
3.5. Analyze Competitors’ Situation
QFD served as the matrix system that researchers utilized to establish a flexible model development. In the initial stage, the project team was tasked with identifying the Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs) that acted as competitors to the target design project. These competing products may include similar products, services, or design solutions. Depending on the design project’s nature and scope, the project team selected products that directly competed or were in related areas. Once the research targets were identified, they underwent analysis after creation of a relevant section within the quality house.
3.6. Correlation Matrix
In a matrix of quality residences, there may exist interrelated relationships between different design requirements and quality characteristics. These correlations can be either positive, where improving a quality characteristic satisfies or enhances the corresponding design requirement, or negative, where enhancing a quality characteristic conflicts with or constrains other design requirements. To represent the coordination or conflict relationship between quality characteristics, symbols were utilized in this design study, with “+” indicating positive correlation and “−” indicating negative correlation. Additionally, the project team calculated the difficulty factor for each quality characteristic, which reflected the resources and time required to achieve the desired quality characteristic.
3.7. Determine the Priority of Quality Characteristics
In the lower section of the quality house, a comprehensive consideration of significance, difficulty coefficient, and relative advantages or disadvantages of quality characteristics was undertaken to determine the priority of each quality characteristic. The priority of a specific quality characteristic, which indicates the need for improvement or maintenance, was calculated using the following equation (where
Wj represents the weight value of the quality characteristic, Wi denotes the user requirement weight factor, and
Pij stands for the relevance factor) [
46]. Generally, higher-priority quality characteristics had a greater impact on enhancing customer satisfaction, loyalty, as well as the competitiveness and profitability of the cultural tourism industry in Wenzhi Village.
The framework of the study is shown in
Figure 2.
4. A Case Study
Research Design
The project team conducted design research and commercialization of traditional residential residences in Wenzhi Village, Lijiang, Yunnan Province, aiming to validate the effectiveness of the AHP-QFD research approach. Wenzhi Village holds a significant position as one of the origin sites of Lijiang Old Town, boasting a rich historical heritage that dates back more than 700 years to the Yuan Dynasty. Remarkably, Wenzhi Village preserves a plethora of historical buildings and relics, including the Mu ancestral hall, the Mu residence, the Mu cemetery, and the tea and horse post. Alongside these architectural treasures, the village has fostered a vibrant array of folk arts and customs, such as the Dongba culture, ancient Naxi music, woodblock prints, and brocade embroidery. The profound historical and cultural backdrop of the site serves as a valuable wellspring of inspiration and resources for the renovation of traditional residential structures, and emphasizes the importance of upholding and preserving architectural styles, forms, and materials as a gesture of respect and cultural inheritance.
The project site is situated in the northeastern part of Wenzhi Village, Lijiang, approximately 2 km from the city center, encompassing an area of about 0.4 square kilometers. The village is bordered by Yuchuan Mountain to the east, Heilongtan Park to the west, Shuhe Ancient Town to the south, and Jinsha River to the north. Wenzhi Village enjoys excellent accessibility and abundant landscape resources, depicted in
Figure 3. An overview of the current status of the project is presented in
Figure 4.
The project team conducted two phases of data collection to obtain accurate design requirements. In the first phase, they clarified the design requirements for the building renovation by conducting interviews with local lodging residents and operators in Lijiang, and collected additional data online. They identified 8 primary indexes and 30 original secondary indexes, which were then sorted and recorded in Area 1 of the quality house.
To eliminate redundancy in the original user requirements, the second phase of the survey involved distributing a total of 203 questionnaires to community workers, managers, and local residents in Wenzhi Village, Lijiang, Yunnan Province. The questionnaires were distributed both online and in paper format to reach a broader audience (
Figure 5). The project team received 164 valid responses, which will be used for subsequent data analysis. Based on this data, they identified six primary requirements: local traditional features, accessibility, sustainability, functionality, service, and comfort, along with 25 secondary requirements (
Figure 6) (Detailed Requirements Description in
Appendix A,
Table A2).
To determine the significance levels of the 6 primary requirements and 25 secondary requirements, the project team applied Saaty’s 1–9 level scale to calculate the AHP user requirement weights for this design. The main processes were as follows. Firstly, the team generated the AHP questionnaire (see
Appendix A,
Table A1) and distributed it for completion. After recovering the questionnaire, they used the assessment system indexes to derive the judgment matrix for each level. Lastly, the final weights of user needs were obtained through consistency testing and weight normalization.
In detail, the consistency ratios (CRs) for the criterion levels, namely local traditional features, functionality, sustainability, accessibility, comfort, and service, were calculated, resulting in CR values of 0.0979 < 0.1, indicating that the consistency test was passed for these levels. The CR values for the sub quasi-measurement layers were 0.0727, 0.0532, 0.0584, 0.0830, 0.0516, and 0.0516, respectively, all generally less than 0.1. The obtained results are listed in
Table 1.
Based on the user requirement weights derived from the AHP analysis mentioned above, the project team proceeded to expand the user requirements into specific quality characteristics. To ensure the scientific and objective nature of the quality characteristics, the study engaged in dialogue interviews with 22 respondents from diverse backgrounds, including 3 community workers, 5 B&B operators, 2 personnel from the local traditional culture preservation department, 6 architects, and 4 professors from the School of Art and Design of Nanjing Forestry University. From these interviews, 21 quality characteristics were identified and are presented in
Table 2 (detailed conversion process can be found in
Appendix A,
Table A3).
After obtaining the quality characteristics of the project, the project team needed to assess the correlation between these characteristics. To achieve this, a questionnaire survey was conducted involving 48 participants from various backgrounds, including local community staff, B&B operators, traditional culture preservation department staff, architects, and professors from the project team. The questionnaire is shown in
Appendix B. Before administering the survey, the team members provided the subjects with an introduction to the research background and objectives. We also explained the questionnaire completion method, which involved using symbols to indicate the coordinated or conflicting relationship between the quality characteristics (e.g., “1” indicating a positive correlation, “−1” indicating a negative correlation, and a space indicating irrelevance). A total of 45 valid questionnaires were collected. Based on the questionnaire results, along with group discussions and expert interviews, the project team determined the quality house roof, representing the relationship between the quality characteristics. The final results are presented in
Figure 7.
The final requirements specification and user requirements specification were derived from the outcomes of the aforementioned user interviews and a thorough review of existing literature in the field. Once the technical requirements to fulfill customers’ needs were identified, a matrix of relationships between user requirements and quality characteristics was established, and 22 interviewees were invited to evaluate the relevance of these relationships. The level of relevance in the matrix was indicated by 5 numbers, ranging from “1” for weak relevance to “9” for very strong correlation. Subsequently, the project team computed the significance of the relevant user requirements and their corresponding weights using Equation (7). In this equation, Wi represents the user requirements’ weight, Wk signifies the relative weight of technical requirements, and Pij stands for the correlation coefficient.
To evaluate the design’s competitiveness in the industry, the project team incorporated a competitive analysis section adjacent to the right and bottom of the quality house. For assessment, five competitive entities were chosen and color-coded within the quality house: Xiyun Academy (green), Lijiang Hidden View Guest House (red), Xiehou Lijiang Humanistic Villa General Store (yellow), Lijiang Mo Zhu Wa She Inn (blue), and Lijiang LeLing Dream Butterfly Village (purple) (
Figure 8). Utilizing a five-point scale, the competitive analysis section was thoroughly evaluated. The final outcomes serve as a basis for gauging how closely this design aligns with customers’ expectations in comparison to the competition, offering valuable insights for the ultimate design implementation.
The final HOQ for the architectural design of traditional residences in Lijiang City, Yunnan Province is shown in
Figure 9.
5. Discussion
HOQ (
Figure 9) presents a comprehensive evaluation of the importance, difficulty coefficient, and relative advantages and disadvantages of quality features. The coefficients of correlation between user requirements and quality features (Equation (7)) were calculated and
Table 3 displays the final weighting of the quality features. Subsequently, the project team conducted the MK mutation test, generating a line graph (
Figure 10) [
47]. Based on the test results, the top 11 items with the highest weighting coefficients were selected for in-depth analyses. These top 11 technical features were further categorized into three areas: design approach, environmental protection, and traditional culture.
The technical characteristics of the design approach categories were ranked as follows: building geometry and size (9.9); skilled technique (8.2); functional, flexible, and expandable solutions (8.0); convenience (5.8). Based on the above-described results, the project team made the following design recommendations: (1) based on the comprehensive index weights, we found that it is very important to preserve the traditional forms and basic geometric layout laws in the remodeling design of traditional dwellings in Yunnan. The project team should restore and protect the spatial layout, roof structure and unique shapes of traditional dwellings, such as warped or warped roofs and geometric layouts, in order to reflect the characteristics of local architecture (
Figure 11). (2) While preserving the traditional layout, the project team should consider applying a flexible spatial layout to meet the needs of modern life. The traditional inner courtyard and patio spaces were retained, and the indoor and outdoor spaces were organically combined based on a reasonable design of indoor-outdoor connections. The movable furniture and partitions were utilized by the project team, such that the space can be flexibly regulated to different needs and activities. (3) The project team incorporated traditional elements in the layout, such as setting up a traditional garden or observation deck, making the site better integrated with the beautiful scenery and traditional culture of the site. (4) The project team explored the integration between traditional and modern architecture in the renovation design. To give a B&B a unique appearance and a modern feel, geometric elements of modern architecture can be introduced into the design: for instance, the use of geometrically shaped windows and doors, as well as the inclusion of geometric patterns in the façade design. Such design enriches the geometric elements of the building and injects a new vitality and fashion sense into the traditional architecture. This dialogue between tradition and modernity not only demonstrates the diversity of architecture, but also reflects the harmonious coexistence of history and modernity. (5) Balancing privacy and socialization is also an important consideration, such as providing guests with private spaces, such as separate bedrooms and bathrooms, to protect privacy. Furthermore, designing shared social spaces (e.g., living rooms, terraces or gardens) facilitates communication and interaction among guests. The abovementioned design ideas can conform to the needs of different guests while conveying the unique local culture and social experience of Lijiang. (6) From the layout of the reception area to the design of the guest rooms, we strive for simplicity and comfort, and provide sufficient basic facilities to ensure that the guests’ living experience is more convenient and comfortable.
The technical characteristics of the environmental protection category were ranked as: environmental friendliness (7.9), environmentally friendly and durable solutions (6.6), and use of environment-friendly materials (5.6). The following design recommendations were made by the project team based on the above-mentioned results. (1) As indicated by the result, being environmentally friendly is critical in this module based on the comprehensive index weights. Environment-friendly construction of traditional ethnic buildings serves as a vital task, protecting and maintaining the characteristics of ethnic culture while conforming to the requirements of energy saving and emission reduction, and facilitating the sustainable development of ethnic buildings. The correlation between architecture and environment should be focused on in the renovation of traditional residential buildings. The layout of the building should be divided with full respect to the characteristics of local architecture (e.g., the shape of the roof, the size of the bay windows, and the decoration of the porch). Moreover, the climate and topography of the design site should be considered (e.g., the sunlight, wind direction, and rainfall), such that the overall spatial layout of the building is beautiful and practical. The damage to the local environment should be reduced maximally during the construction of the building, and the technical research on saving energy, water, materials, and so forth should be further deepened from the perspective of the whole life cycle of the building, with the aim of considering the friendly relationship between the building and the environment and providing a healthy, comfortable, and efficient space for people to use. (2) Traditional ethnic architecture exhibits high artistic value and humanistic value, as well as ecological value and social value, thus serving as a vital resource for boosting sustainable development. It is imperative to fully leverage the ecological advantages of traditional ethnic architecture, exploit the energy-saving type of the local natural environment to explore green building models adapted to the local climate, terrain, and other conditions, reduce the adverse effect on the environment, and improve the comfort and functional attributes of the building. Furthermore, the attention to the social benefits of traditional residential architecture should be strengthened to boost its sustainable development. At present, numerous traditional residential houses have only focused on immediate short-term benefits, causing damage to the environment and architecture. The cultivation of sustainable thinking can ideologically change people’s perception of traditional residential architecture and make local residents aware of and give insights into the significance of sustainable development, thus bringing about longer-term economic and social benefits. (3) The innovative development of traditional ethnic architecture should be encouraged by selecting green and sustainable materials and combining contemporary technology to give novel design forms to the design. Materials serve as a vital factor for construction projects, and the use of green materials exerts a direct effect on the construction cost and final quality of the project. The selection of green materials should be combined with local characteristics and the actual needs of the project; attempts should be made to use local renewable materials (e.g., wood, bamboo, and stone), or green materials should be used (e.g., hydroxide plates and fermentation process plates), which are low-cost and both practical and energy-saving. In addition, the construction of building doors and windows and other constructions should consider the local natural environment and climatic conditions, and target the insulation and lighting of doors and windows (e.g., installing hollow glass with environmental characteristics). Accordingly, the indoor space can be promoted to achieve a constant temperature and reduce the loss of indoor heat. The selection and use of green materials can increase the overall utilization rate of materials, expedite the energy saving and emission reduction of buildings, and achieve the win-win situation of construction cost and quality.
The technical characteristics of the traditional culture category are ranked as follows: rich history (6.3); local distinctiveness (5.9); the dissemination of traditional Lijiang culture (5.5); emotional value (5.4). Based on the above-described results, the following design recommendations were proposed by the project team. (1) During the design and renovation process, the project team should conduct a detailed cultural and historical study of the local architecture to gain insights into the historical background, cultural significance, and evolution process of the local traditional residential architecture in Lijiang. Through the abovementioned studies, the project team gained more insights into the value of local traditional architecture and preserved and highlighted its historical elements in the renovation practice. (2) The project team can preserve the original architectural structure and decorative details (e.g., traditional wood carvings, stone carvings, and colorful paintings) in the architectural renovation practice (
Figure 11). In addition, the historical story of the building and the cultural background of the site can be displayed in the interior design by showing historical photos of the building, a heritage display, or display panels. (3) After the B&B is built, owners can cooperate with local cultural institutions, museums, or research institutes to jointly conduct cultural activities and exhibitions. This can cover hosting traditional craft-making workshops, traditional music performances, art exhibitions, etc. Through the above-described activities, guests can gain more insights into Yunnan’s rich history and traditional culture, and promote the transmission and development of local traditional culture. (4) In the renovation of traditional Yunnan residential architecture B&Bs, the use of traditional materials is stressed as the key to maintaining local architectural characteristics and rich culture. Through the use of traditional materials, the renovated B&Bs are capable of maintaining continuity with traditional Yunnan architecture and conveying a strong cultural atmosphere. Moreover, the use of traditional materials indicates respect for the environment and the concept of sustainability, in line with the pursuit of sustainable architecture in modern society. Lapis lazuli has been confirmed as one of the common materials applied in traditional Yunnan architecture. It is hard, wear-resistant and moisture-resistant, while it is suitable as a floor covering and wall material. In renovation, consideration can be given to retaining the original bluestone flooring, repairing and restoring its original texture and color to showcase the historical traces of the building. Red brick refers to a common building material, which can be employed for masonry walls and building structures. In the renovation, the original red brick walls can be considered to be retained, and essential restoration and preservation work can be performed. The color and texture of red brick can give a building a unique look and feel, while harmonizing with the surrounding natural environment and traditional architectural style. Wood also occupies an important place in traditional Yunnan architecture. It has been commonly adopted for the construction and decoration of beams, gables, doors, and windows. In the renovation design, the original wood structure can be retained with necessary restoration and reinforcement. Moreover, the use of traditional wood joining techniques, such as mortise and tenon construction, can be considered to increase the stability and beauty of the building. (5) The architectural shape refers to a vital aspect of the local character. In general, traditional Yunnan residential buildings adopt a square or rectangular plan layout, such that this basic geometric layout rule can be retained in the renovation design. Furthermore, unique architectural forms can be created by combining local architectural styles and environmental features, such as drawing on the roof shapes and flying eaves of traditional buildings. Local characteristics can be further emphasized by introducing local cultural symbols and artistic elements, such as traditional paintings, embroidery, and ethnic costumes. The abovementioned cultural symbols can be incorporated into the building’s facade design, interior decoration, and furniture arrangement to create a strong Yunnan cultural atmosphere. (6) Incorporating a large number of natural elements into the design, such as wood, stones and gardens, can create an atmosphere close to nature. Warm colors, such as brown, green, and pale yellow, should be used in the interior design to create a warm and comfortable feeling.
6. Conclusions
The purpose of this study was to summarize the process and results of the renovation of traditional houses in Lijiang based on the AHP-QFD method, which is a multi-criteria decision-support method that combines the AHP and QFD methods and can effectively transform customer requirements into design options to make a preferred choice. This study firstly introduced the characteristics and values of the traditional houses in Lijiang, as well as the purpose and significance of the renovation. Subsequently, using the AHP-QFD method, customer requirements were collected and analyzed, five components of the residential HOQ (e.g., QR, QC, QR-QC relationship, QC correlation, and competitive analysis) were identified, the importance and degree of satisfaction of the respective requirements were determined, and the competition in the market was set according to the technical indicators and target values for the retrofit program. After this, the project team drew line graphs and performed MK mutation tests based on the calculation results, and finally extracted the top 11 quality characteristics based on the test results, which were divided into three dimensions (i.e., design method, environmental protection, and traditional culture) for focused analysis.
This study took the renovation of traditional buildings in Wenzhi Village, Lijiang, Yunnan Province, as a research and practice example, and through sorting out the local regional culture, architectural features, site status quo, and user needs, it formed a scientific and systematic decision-supporting methodology based on the AHP-QFD methodology for the renovation and sustainable development of traditional buildings in the Yunnan region of China, and at the same time proposed a feasible commercialized renovation of traditional dwellings in Yunnan.