{"id":15370,"date":"2023-10-14T12:34:02","date_gmt":"2023-10-14T11:34:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.architecturemaker.com\/?p=15370"},"modified":"2023-10-14T12:34:02","modified_gmt":"2023-10-14T11:34:02","slug":"a-philosophy-of-chinese-architecture-past-present-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.architecturemaker.com\/a-philosophy-of-chinese-architecture-past-present-future\/","title":{"rendered":"A Philosophy Of Chinese Architecture Past Present Future"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Architecture in China has been around for centuries. It has evolved over time and, in recent years, has become more modern than ever. Far from the simplistic designs of ancient Chinese architecture, present-day design has been influenced by and synthesizes a variety of elements from traditional Chinese designs, modern European and American architectures, and even East Asian traditional philosophies. As an ancient civilization that has rapidly evolved and moved forward in time, Chinese architecture incorporates a mixture of the past, present, and future—it’s a dynamic combination of the traditional and the contemporary.<\/p>\n

The basic structure of traditional Chinese architecture is deeply rooted in Chinese philosophy of the yin and yang—the two concepts of complementary dualism are one of the most basic principles of traditional Chinese architecture. The concept of the yin-yang is that the two forces are interconnected, inseparable, and that they interact with each other. This is reflected in the various elements of Chinese architecture such as the use of courtyards, roofs, and wooden columns. These elements of Chinese architecture are based on the philosophy of balance and harmony, refraining from extremes and incorporating elements from both the grandiose and the subtle.<\/p>\n

The basic structure of traditional Chinese architecture is also guided by the principle of “Qi” (or “chi”) which is a term that refers to the positive and negative energies that exist in all things. This concept of Qi is woven into the structure of Chinese architecture and guides everything from the placement of the building, to the material used, to the overall shape and design of the building. This philosophy is also reflected in the use of Feng-Shui which is an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics designed to bring balance and harmony to an environment.<\/p>\n

Modern Chinese architecture has been greatly influenced by western designs and this influence is visible in the newer designs. For example, the use of steel beams and columns to support the structure of a building is a modern technique which is widely used in contemporary Chinese architecture. Other elements such as high-tech automation, large-scale glass elements, and hi-tech engineering are all common features of modern Chinese architecture.<\/p>\n