The Spatial Polymorphism Compound of the Under-Eave Space in the Traditional Commercial Towns in the West of Hunan Province

Streets constitute the skeleton of the commercial space in traditional towns, and the commercial buildings are its flesh and blood. The under-eave space serves as the transition of the streets and commercial buildings, and it is viewed as a part of both streets and commercial buildings. However, the variable conformation and contents of the under- eave space lead to temporal polymorphism and spatial multi-functionality, which manifest its commercial value,and become an important component of traditional commercial districts.