Introduction
The history of Chinese architecture is a multifaceted patchwork containing historical, social, and cultural strands. In the last eight decades, researchers have explored the intricacies of China’s architectural legacy, highlighting the connections between engineering innovation, social concerns, and cultural customs. This article analyses the development of architectural studies in China over the past 80 years and investigates the basic ideas that underlie Chinese architectural history.
Fundamental Understandings
- Interdisciplinary Focus: Architectural studies in China encompass both engineering technology and societal issues, acknowledging the social content inherent in architecture. Cultural traditions and artistic criteria play pivotal roles, making architectural history a vital subdiscipline.
- Questions of Purpose: Architectural historians seek answers to two fundamental questions: What kinds of buildings were constructed, and why were they built? The pursuit of these answers involves data collection, pattern recognition, and the development of theories that contribute to a comprehensive understanding of architectural evolution.
3. Scope of Research: China’s architectural history is all-encompassing, spanning cities, villages, gardens, and regional planning projects. The field explores diverse building types, including palaces, ritual architecture, government offices, tombs, gardens, religious structures, residences, and commercial buildings.
4. Multi-Ethnic Influences: China’s architectural richness is attributed to its multi-ethnic history, where the styles of various ethnicities have blended and influenced each other. Cross-cultural exchange has shaped an impressive body of traditional architecture, requiring a study of each ethnicity’s architectural history.
5.Regional Variations: The vastness of China’s territory and diverse natural conditions have given rise to regional variations in architectural styles, preferences, materials, and construction methods. Local building cultures and their influence on urban centres are crucial considerations for architectural historians.
5. Dynastic Impact: Architectural development in China often corresponds to the rise and fall of dynasties and the unification or division of the empire. Understanding the historical rhythms of isolation and exchange is essential to contextualise architectural evolution.
6. Influence of Sociocultural Factors: Ancient philosophical writings, ethical beliefs, rituals, ceremonies, customs, folk beliefs, and superstitions have influenced architectural development. Architectural historians explore the integration of these sociocultural traditions to provide a comprehensive understanding of architectural history.
7. Indigenous and Foreign Exchange: Foreign architectural influences, particularly from countries like Japan, have played a significant role in shaping Chinese architecture. The study of architectural achievements outside China contributes valuable insights into its own architectural history.
Eighty Years of Architectural History Research in China
The modern study of Chinese architectural history began in the 1930s with the establishment of the Society for Research in Chinese Architecture by Liang Sicheng and Liu Dunzhen. Over the ensuing eighty years, research can be divided into three stages.
1. 1930s and 1940s: The Society focused on gathering historical data, conducting large-scale surveys, and publishing numerous reports. Liang Sicheng’s work in the mid-1940s laid the foundation for understanding post-Tang Chinese architecture.
2. 1950s and 1960s: The establishment of research centers and committees marked this stage, with a focus on inventorying cultural relics and salvage excavations. The scope of research expanded to South China, addressing questions of monument preservation amid large-scale construction.
Over the past eight decades, the study of Chinese architectural history has undergone dynamic evolution, shaped by academic collaboration, political upheavals, and a constant quest for understanding the intricate tapestry of China’s rich architectural heritage. From the early foundations laid by pioneers like Liang Sicheng and Liu Dunzhen to the challenges faced during the Cultural Revolution, and the resurgence of research in the subsequent years, the trajectory of Chinese architectural history reflects a cyclical pattern of data collection, compilation, and exploration.
1958-1965: Flourishing Development and National Cooperation
In 1958, under the leadership of Professor Liu Dunzhen, an editorial team embarked on the ambitious task of compiling university-level textbooks, ushering in a period of flourishing development. Noteworthy publications, such as “A Concise History of Chinese Traditional Architecture” and “A Concise History of Chinese Modern Architecture,” set the stage for an extensive exploration of China’s architectural legacy. The monumental illustrated album, “Ten Years of Architecture in New China,” celebrated the nation’s architectural achievements.
Despite the vibrant development, the Cultural Revolution in 1966 abruptly halted nationwide research on architectural history. Founders of the discipline, including Liang Sicheng and Liu Dunzhen, faced public criticism, and the pursuit of knowledge in architectural history was temporarily silenced.
1973-Present: Resilience, Recovery, and Contemporary Challenges
The resumption of work on architectural history in 1973 marked a period of resilience and recovery. As institutions reopened, the disciples of Liang Sicheng and Liu Dunzhen continued their work. Monographs, such as “Chinese Islamic Architecture” and “Research on the Regulations of the Yingzao Fashi,” emerged during this time, contributing to the expansion of architectural knowledge.
The years from 1980 to 1995 witnessed the compilation of four major reference works, addressing traditional building technology, cities, architecture, and landscape architecture. This period also saw the release of a revised edition of “History of Chinese Traditional Architecture,” offering a deeper understanding with expanded historical data and theoretical analysis.
The 1990s brought a focus on the artistic features of architecture, exemplified by the compilation of “History of Chinese Architectural Art.” Scholars delved into aesthetics with works like “Chinese Architectural Aesthetics.”
Future Directions and Challenges
As Chinese architectural history enters a new phase, the field faces both opportunities and challenges. The vast amount of historical data must now be viewed in the context of city planning, architecture, and landscape architecture. The emphasis on technology and excavation provides a crucial context for understanding architectural evolution.
A critical goal for future research lies in developing a comprehensive theory of Chinese architectural history. Moving beyond technical and historical aspects, the field should explore the aesthetic dimensions of Chinese architecture, providing a foundation for the creation of modern cities and buildings with a distinctly Chinese character.
In retrospect, the eighty-year journey through Chinese architectural history mirrors a resilient pursuit of understanding, marked by periods of flourishing development, political challenges, and subsequent recovery. From its interdisciplinary foundations to the exploration of diverse building types, regional variations, and the influences of multi-ethnicity, the field has evolved cyclically. The post-Cultural Revolution resurgence showcased the commitment of scholars to preserving China’s architectural heritage, culminating in major reference works and renewed emphasis on aesthetics. As the discipline looks to the future, opportunities and challenges abound, with a call to contextualize historical data, emphasize technology, and develop a comprehensive theory. Chinese architectural history stands poised not only to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity but also to inspire a distinctively Chinese architecture that harmonises the lessons of the past with the aspirations of the future.
Reference:
Understanding Chinese Research Work on Architectural History Author(s): Fu Xinian Source: Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians , Vol. 73, No. 1 (March 2014), pp. 12-16 Published by: University of California Press on behalf of the Society of Architectural Historians
Feature Image Courtesy: Architizer
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