Biomimicry-informed deconstruction of the cognitive system for Sino–Western hybrid architecture: A case study of Lushan UNESCO Global Geopark

Sino–Western hybrid architecture serves as a medium for cross-cultural exchange; however, its preservation faces two major challenges: unclear conservation standards and differing perceptions of cultural value. The hybrid architectural forms at Lushan developed in response to local terrain and climate, but the difficulty in defining authenticity for such buildings complicates conservation efforts. This study examines the villa cluster in Guling town, Lushan, employing biomimicry not as a design methodology but as an analytical framework to evaluate hybrid heritage through characteristics of environmental adaptation. Based on a literature review, field surveys of 45 villas, and interviews with 15 participants, including residents, heritage managers, and scholars, the study analyzes environmental adaptation, hybrid architectural styles, typological classification, and preservation challenges. The investigation reveals that, despite differing cultural origins, both Chinese and Western building traditions in Guling town developed similar responses to mountainous conditions, suggesting that environmental adaptation provides common ground for heritage evaluation that transcends cultural boundaries. Accordingly, a four-dimensional preservation framework is proposed that integrates function and culture, coordinates ecology and heritage, links landscape and narrative, and incorporates community participation. The framework addresses the methodological challenge of evaluating buildings rooted in multiple cultural traditions without privileging either lineage. Limitations of the study include its qualitative approach and focus on a single site. Nevertheless, the findings offer insights for conserving comparable hybrid architecture in other mountainous areas and point toward future research on developing quantitative indicators of environmental adaptation.