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CHINA DESIGN IN 21ST CENTURY PAGE 1

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China design in 21st Century

Lanni Yu

The 21st century of china in design and urban resolution is focused on balance between aspects such as ecology, energy and environment (Ameen et al.,2015). The modern buildings in china are connected to Qi, FengShui and yin yang practices. The ancient Chinese architecture remains one of the few of long standing culture and history of China. Obviously it is characterized by nationality, the region, and times. Notably, the ancient (21st century) Chinese architecture, has been distinctive and unique features in a single building, architectural art and complex building are some of the outstanding instances of the olden days oriental architectures. From the old Society to Han Dynasty, the methods and techniques used on timber structure buildings were slowly and progressively improved and later on perfected. The builders had clearly mastered most the skills in earth ramming. They had also known how to build using stones as well as firing tiles.

Research and records have it that the technology of architecture developed most significantly, especially during the Jin, Wei, Northern and Southern dynasties. Both the output the quality of the tiles and bricks has been tremendously improved. In addition, the techniques used on timber structures too have been improved. Most of the Buddhist architectures were built during that Chinese era. This paper aims at investigating how the Western architects have been able to express the links between Chinese’s traditional architectures and the modern architectures considering practices such as FengShui, Qi and yin yang. This will be done by use of different features of architecture and concepts in the form of plans, functions, structure and materials, forms and space.

The environmental elements in the modern context are unified by Qi circulation. FengShui, is a Chinese practice of obtaining harmony as well as balancing the environment that they live in. this practice unifies the traditional and modern architecture. For instance during the design of Shanghai Bank and Hong Kong headquarters, both partners and fosters worked in agreement with FengShui which they believe it was a Chinese culture. This practice involved Qi concept of holism, circulation and balancing concept of yin yang theory and transformation as stipulated by five elements theory. Some of the features of the Chinese’s ancient architecture features are: regular layouts, flexible structures, wonderful, beautiful and elegant appearances, and gorgeously made ornaments. Some major examples of Chinese ancient building include: temples, pagodas, mausoleums, city walls, imperial magnificently made palaces as well as residences, all of which are seen by the Chinese as rich heritages.

Chinese Modern Architecture

From the time when the Opium War of 1840 broke out to period of establishment the China’s people Republic-1949, the Chinese architecture has experienced and gone through a blend in both the Chinese and Western style(Zhu, J. 2013). Undebatably, the Chinese’s traditional architectural systems still had the major and dominant role with buildings which served in the entertainment industry, such as restaurants, theaters and hotels. Also, majority of the businesses’ buildings, for instance, department stores and food markets all made an important development in the traditional styles of architecture have succeeded in the construction of business sites in a combination of both the Chinese as well as the Western elements of architecture. Some of the examples of the Chinese famous modern architecture are tremendous lots of skyscrapers. Indeed, some of these skyscrapers have been regarded as masterpieces of work and have become the landmarks of the city. This architecture although modern, they still employs the FengShui practice.

The National Center for the Performing Arts, in Beijing is a unique construction whose shape resembles a shell. Its height is 46.68 meters and it’s the only structure with shell in the entire Asia. Its exterior is made of titanium glass in dome shape which is fully surrounded by human made lake. 18398 titanium pieces and 1226 pieces of white glass makes this shell shaped stadium found in China. From aerial position, this stadium resembles a floating egg. It was designed to serve like an iconic feature which would be easily and immediately recognized. The World Financial Center found in Shanghai is the tallest building in that city and thus it creates Shanghai’s new landmark. Farther, it has both the Oriental Pearl Television and Jinmao towers. For one to move from the first floor to the ninety fifth one, using an elevator it approximately takes one minute. The elevator moves a distance of ten meters in a second. All these eye striking structures are as result of the China's rapid development in the economy.

Notably, the Chinese Gardens form special aspects of Chinese traditional culture and art. This is not just a large piece of green with nearby buildings, but it is more of an area which is found to mix human-made landscapes with natural sceneries, painting, architecture, horticulture and calligraphy in a harmonious way. The whole compound is fenced using walls. This marks a given property as special and designated for private enjoyment of an individual.

History of Chinese Gardens

These ancient gardens were also referred to as the traditional Chinese’s gardens or the classical gardens of the Chinese. Their histories have many years-history, rich cultures and distinctively unique features. In addition, they are rich in different types and full of artistic charms; old Chinese gardens are seen as the world’s best garden building system. These gardens add brilliant and oriental pearl to the house. From the principles of integrating nature with buildings, for a Chinese typical garden, it basically consists of water, rockery, building and plants

Conclusion

Evidently, the 21st century of china in term of design include the practice of FengShui which is believed to provide security, defense, privacy and community protection from negative brought about by the environment. From environmental, technological, historical and cultural perspectives, FengShui emphasizes on use of natural resources, protection from natural environment and proper energy use.

professor and TA suggestions: Why people use FengShui in 21 century, there is a time people dont like history stories like superstition, and why its back right now?

-Describe specifically how Feng Shui is currently being used in Chinese architecture and why it’s still significant to do so.

-Need a clearer introduction. It was a little difficult to understand the overview of what the paper would encompass. Be more straightforward when introducing your topic.

-Use images to illustrate what you’re discussing. It would give the reader a clearer idea of what the architecture looks like.

-Go in depth a bit more about how China’s rapid economic development has influenced present day architecture.

-The paragraph right before your heading “History of Chinese Gardens” where you discuss the gardens should be included under that heading, not before.

-Expand on your conclusion since it’s a bit short right now. Wrap up your ideas and clearly bring them to a close.

-Also proofread for spelling and grammatical errors that spellcheck may not find.

References

Ameen, R. F. M., Mourshed, M., & Li, H. (2015). A critical review of environmental assessment tools for sustainable urban design. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 55, 110-125.

Zhu, J. (2013). Architecture of modern China: a historical critique. Routledge.

CUI, H., CHEN, H., & ZHONG, J. (2015). Review on Influence Factors of Rural Land Circulation in China.