本文旨在從人類住屋演進的歷史觀察中建立一個民居研究的基本模型。文章分成三部分： 1.現有理論的回頭－主要在批評以拉普普(A. Rapoport)爲代表這支理論的缺陷。 2.民居起源－從住屋起源的觀察中，提出民居原型的産生是來自一串模仿與修正過程的結果。 3.民居形式的塑造－從住屋形式的觀察中，提出住屋的形式乃是對應於其社會經濟變化的結果，並對影響住屋原型發展之諸因素作一簡單的討論。在這個模型中，親民居爲對應其所處之社會及生態條件之函數。而這些條件經由三度空間幾何呈現出來時，實則帶著一個雙重性格，其一爲形式之必然性，另一爲形式之偶創性。前者是受其所之社會經濟條件所規定，是人類民居演化之共同原則；而後者則意指其形式之發現及是偶然的行為而言，是地域風格之由來。

The paper attempts to establish a comprehensive model for physical formation of vernacular houses. It consists of three identifiable themes as follows (1) A review of alternative theories Mainly to present existing theories on the topic and to undertake a critical analysis of the idealistic approach towards the subject as identified by Rapoport. (2) The origin of houses Based on archeo1ogical and anthropological evidences, a basic concept is suggested that implies that forms of vernacular houses are unintentional results of continuous processes of imitation and adaptation, parallel to that of man`s tool making (3) Forming of domestic houses Following a brief socio economic analysis on the transformation of vernacular houses, a general model is introduced In this model, vernacular houses are regarded as functions of their social and ecological conditions, and are crystalized through certain spatial geometries which are limited by their technological experiences This three dimensional consolidation is also subjected to a duality the necessity of spatial type and the coincidence of the house form The former is a result of the social and economic status, and underlines the common basis of the shaping of a vernaculat house, while the latte suggests that physical forms are discovered by occasional attempts, and forms the origin of the vernacular styles.