In this paper, a cluster based hybrid architecture is proposed which not only combines the advantages of both cluster and flat architecture, but also introduces how to use multiple communication models in wireless sensor networks(WSNs). Furthermore, the hybrid architecture uses multicast to solve the problem of ldquobroadcast blastrdquo, and adopts deployment of heterogeneous sensors to solve the problem of ldquohot spotrdquo. At last, performance analysis is proposed to indicate that the hybrid architecture has the properties of scalability, distribution, long life-time and robustness.