Thesis statement : There are three elements that differ between a Minangkabau house and Siheyuan house which are types of materials used, the usage of interior spaces and the structures and layout of the two houses.

Unique traditional houses

Minangkabau house

Location : Indonesia

Materials used to build

-Largely constructed using wood-Roof made from thatch-Wall made from bamboo

Usage of space

-The amount of rooms depending on amount of the women in the family members.-Every women who married get one room, old women and kids get room near to kitchen, teen girls get shared room on the other end.-Interior Rumah Gadang dominated by open room except the bedrooms-On the both wing of the main house always found Anjung, special rooms or place as a place where nuptial and the bride biting or coronation of customary chief.

Structure and layout

-At the left end of the house is an annex which is slightly elevated from the floor level of the house, symbolic significance as the pinnacle of the house.-Sleeping quarter (biliak) are adjacent and are in the rear-Curtained doorways of the biliak open out onto the hall- Its roof design shaped like a buffalo horn

Siheyuan house

Location : China

Materials :

Sun-dried brickWood

Structure and layout

-The four buildings of a siheyuan are positioned along the north-south and east-west axis formed a square house-The entrance gate painted vermilion and with copper door knockers on it-A pair of stone lions are placed outside the gate

Usage of space

-The northern building,receive most sunlight serving as the living room and bedroom of the owner or head of the family-The eastern and western side buildings receive less sunlight serve as the rooms for children or less important members of the family-The southern building receives the least sunlight, used as a reception room and the servants' dwelling, or where the family would gather to relax, eat or study.-The backside building is for unmarried daughters and female servants