Mao'ao Stone Traditional Architecture

Mao'ao's stone houses are a prime example of utilizing local materials. The stone material came from sandstone found along the coast, the house frames were made from bamboo sourced from the mountains behind, and in the past, the roofs were often covered with wild thatch. Mao'ao's stone houses can generally be divided into three different layouts and masonry styles. The first type features a linear layout with irregular stone masonry. This is the most common and most economical method. The walls are constructed from natural cobblestones of similar size or roughly chiseled stones, possessing a distinct rugged beauty.