Abstract:This article reviews the academic career of renowned Chinese architect and architectural educator Chen Zhihua, analyzing the deep reason behind his academic turn from foreign architecture to vernacular architecture. It explores the sequential relationship of his sociological methodology in both research fields, summarising his publications on vernacular architecture from 1989 to 2018. The article examines Chen’s main concerns and important viewpoints on vernacular culture, cultural heritage conservation and utilization, and cultural heritage value perception under the sociological research system. By doing so, it aims to guide and enlighten the study of vernacular architecture in China today and commemorate Chen’s great contributions to Chinese vernacular architecture.