Abstract: 　Driven by new urbanization and rural vitalization in recent years, the concept of Chinese Vernacular Architecture has developed quickly, and discussions around its protection and renewal have become prominent as further topics and ideas have emerged in the research field. Balance the adaptive relationship between inheritance and development is of great significance to the systematic construction of vernacular architecture and the practice of rural construction. Themed "Inheritance and Settlement Protection in the Contemporary Perspective", the 25th Annual Conference of Chinese Vernacular Architecture probed ideas of continuation and evolution, connecting the past and the future. The evolving discussions in the conference showed a shift from the essence of traditional vernacular architecture culture to the exploration of the contemporary, innovative path of sustainable inheritance when facing real-life needs, and the dynamic developments of the traditional vernacular architecture genre. 
　　Firstly, this paper identifies four prominent concepts based on a selection of conference speeches, papers, and relevant background documents, so as to explore the current status of traditional vernacular architecture in China. 
　　Concept 1: Traditional Vernacular Architecture and Settlements 
　　Existing research presents multi-level features of cognitive theory to analyze expansion and topic in-depth mining. The discussion on the psychological aspects and values of vernacular architecture, and the introduction of new technologies and perspectives to the cognitive expression of settlement patterns and rural construction reflect the expanding research scope, deepening direction, and system forming within this area of study. 
　　Concept 2: Modern Technologies in Vernacular Architecture Construction
　　Research has gradually begun paying attention to the essence of rural construction and how multi-methods and research perspectives can be integrated. Many aspects, such as the involvement of information technology in heritage conservation and renovation, the application of oral history into craftsmanship investigation, and the case collations of contemporary design practices, can provide a new reference for the contemporary conservation and renewal practices of vernacular architecture and rural construction design. 
　　Concept 3: Rural Planning and Traditional Village Protection 
　　Due to the refinement and modern innovation of traditional architectural elements, supplemented by research results and methods in other fields, traditional villages can be utilised as a historical space under the premise of protection, and the operability of village development and the renewal of villages can also be improved. This is a prominent topic in current research.
　　Concept 4: Traditional Dwellings and Settlements in Ethnic Areas 
　　Recent research discoveries include not only relatively traditional topics such as the morphological characteristics, evolutionary patterns, generative mechanisms, and cultural analysis of vernacular architecture, but also innovative topics of great currency, such as strategies for developing environmental capacity and dealing with the conflict between people and the environment, the suitability of rural construction design, and the evaluation and improvement of residential quality.
Secondly, the paper summarizes several new themes in the deepening of current vernacular architecture understanding:
　　Established research tends to follow the proposition of the times and is oriented towards the  strategic needs of the country. Most is based on expanding the breadth and depth of basic research in the field. Research is gradually becoming dedicated to highlighting the frontiers of the times and practical demonstrations.
　　Another trend is the optimal and innovative use of research techniques and methods to further integrate different disciplines. Current results have gradually begun to enhance the promotion and integration of various cutting-edge technologies in the study of vernacular architecture, and there have been many studies conducted in pioneering areas.
　　The research horizons have become broader, and content is more diverse. For example, studies with a focus on sociology, culture, geography, economics, and architecture have all been conducted concerning vernacular architecture. Topics such as infrastructure and village characteristics, transportation networks, industry, and settlement houses have received increased attention, and academic concepts such as the matrix and pedigree of cultural genes continue to be introduced. 
　　Finally, the paper offers suggestions and prospective directions for the study of vernacular architecture.
　　There is an urgent need to establish a discourse in the field of vernacular architecture. Scholars within the field should keep abreast of the times and combine new theories, tools, and methods in their research. While reviewing the types of vernacular architecture studies from a cutting-edge perspective, scholars should also look ahead to the existence of potential paradigms and provide new perspectives for establishing an independent discourse system for the study of vernacular architecture.
　　It is further required to consolidate the field’s disciplinary foundations to establish disciplinary standards. On the premise of establishing norms, access standards, and a unified discourse for vernacular architecture research, the opportunity of consolidating a disciplinary foundation should be undertaken to develop a system of academic standards for vernacular architecture research.
　　The shift from vernacular architecture research to rural design should be accelerated to achieve a combination of industry, academia, and research. Vernacular architecture research should not be carried out blindly in isolation from reality, but should allow more stakeholders in society to contribute to its success. It is therefore crucial to establish a standard research paradigm and discourse system as soon as possible.

Key words: The 25th Annual Conference of Chinese Vernacular Architecture, vernacular architecture, inheritance of traditional dwellings, protection of settlements

摘要： 2020年11月6日~11月9日，第25届中国民居建筑学术年会在西南民族大学召开。会议以“当代视野下的民居传承与聚落保护”为主题，希望根植传统民居文化的同时，面向生活现实需求，探索传统民居文化基因的可持续传承与发展的当代创新路径。以“传统民居与聚落”“现代技术与民居营造”“乡村规划与传统村落”“民族地区传统民居与聚落”为四条主要线索，根据会议发言、论文和相关背景文献对主要观点进行了整理与解读，并结合当下乡村发展问题，探讨我国多元发展背景下的传统民居研究现状，最后对民居学术研究深化拓展的新动向与新趋势提出展望与建议。

关键词: 中国民居建筑学术年会, 传统民居, 民居传承, 聚落保护