This research is focused on tulou, collective dwellings of Fujian (China), built with rammed earth and wood. Except for the evident variation in size and in shape between different tulou, all of them apparently share a similar design and layout features and also the scientific literature on this topic does not highlight substantial differences among them. Despite the generic uniformity, it is however possible to clearly distinguish two groups of tulou, built by different populations and reflecting different life styles and dwelling ideas: the Minnan and Hakka tulou. Starting from this new assumption and through a systematic analysis of eight significant case studies, in this paper it is proved for the first time that the functional differences, already partly recognized by previous studies, can be clearly linked to the typological and construction ones as well as. Thanks to this new methodological approach, in the future it will be possible to set up the analysis of this vast heritage in a more orderly manner, allow a greater integration of various disciplinary research and plan a "Manual on tulou restoration", intended as a guide for restoration and dissemination of the knowledge regarding the original materials and techniques of tulou.
