Fulbright-Hays Curriculum Project

China-2011
Mr. Paul Brissette
Architecture instructor
Marthas Vineyard Regional High School

Title:

A survey of Chinese architectural styles & structures, with commentary

on the religious, economic and political institutions that built them.

Description:
This lesson begins with a PowerPoint introduction to historic Chinese architectural elements, followed by a
survey of significant ancient to modern Chinese architecture and structures. The teachers notes make
reference to the political, religious and economic institutions that built these structures. The follow-up student
projects are an optional addition for classes that deal with architectural drawing and design.
Audience:
The PowerPoint can be used with any secondary, or postsecondary intermediate art, architecture or social
studies classes. The drawing portion of the project would require basic drafting and/or drawing skills typical
in an art or architectural class.
Enduring understandings
1. Every culture develops a unique architectural aesthetic.
2. Religious, political and economic institutions greatly influence the architectural structures and style of any
place and era.
Essential questions:
1. What are the elements of Chinese architecture?
2. How have religion, politics and economics influence Chinese architectural structures?
3.

Is there a modern Chinese aesthetic?

Goals:
1.To examine historic Chinese architectural elements.
2.To introduce students to Chinese ancient and modern architecture with insights into the influences that
created them.
3. A choice of drawing projects based on the principles outlined in the Powerpoint presentation.

National and Massachusetts standards addressed:

1. National Visual arts content standard #4: Understanding the visual arts in relation to history and culture.
2. National Visual arts content standard #5: Reflecting upon the characteristics and merits of the students
design work and the work and the work of other architects.
3. National Visual arts content standard #6: Making connections between visual arts and other disciplines
4. Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks Standard #2: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the
elements and principles of design.
5. Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks Standard #3: Students will demonstrate their powers of
observation, abstraction, invention, and expression in a variety of media, materials and techniques.
6. Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks Standard #5: Students will describe and analyze their own work
and the work of others using appropriate visual arts( architecture) vocabulary.

Learning activities, Performance tasks & Assessment:

Architecture I or II
China Drawing Project #1
Mr. Brissette
Problem: Design a site plan layout for a traditional Chinese family compound that incorporates all of the
traditional Chinese architectural elements.
Drawings:

1. Birds eye plan view of entire compound

2. Street entryway elevation
3. One exterior court elevation

Grading:
Technical
- All of the above drawings included
- Functional
Graphic:
-Clear
-Neat

Possible points

40

________

20

________

Aesthetic:
-Attention to Chinese elements in details

20

________

Total: ________

Advanced Architecture
China Drawing Project #2
Mr. Brissette
Problem: Design a Chinese style pagoda using symbols that represent you and your beliefs.
Drawings:

1. Floor plan 1/4 scale

2. Front elevation
3. interior reflected ceiling plan

Grading:

Possible points

Technical
- All of the above drawings included
Graphic:
-Clear
-Neat
Aesthetic:
-Attention to symbolic elements in design

40

________

20

________

20

________

Total:

________

Advanced Architecture
China Drawing Project #3
Mr. Brissette
Problem: Design a multi-use commercial zone within a city block that uses the traditional Chinese
architectural element of enclosure to unify the space.
Drawings:

1. Plan view of entire compound that includes stores, offices and exterior vendors booths.
2. Street entryway elevation
3. One exterior court elevation

Grading:
Technical
- All of the above drawings included
- Functional
Graphic:
-Clear
-Neat
Aesthetic:
-Attention to Chinese elements in details

Possible points

40

________

20

________

20

________

Total: ________

InstructorsPowerpointNoteswithWebPrintReferences

Elements:ArchaeologicalmaterialindicatesthathumanswerelivingintheterritoryofChinatoday,onemillionyears
ago.Itsrecordedhistoryandcivilizationdatesbackapproximatelyfourthousandyears.Chinesearchitectureisasold
asitscivilizationandreferstoastyleofarchitecturethathastakenshapeinChinaandmigratedtomostofNorthand
SoutheastAsiaoverthecenturies.TraditionalChinesestructureshaveseveralkeyelementsregardlessofthescaleof
thestructure.TheseelementscanbeseenfromthehomesofcommonerstothemassiveImperialPalaceinthe
ForbiddenCity
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_architecture

Enclosure:Unlikewesternarchitecture,whichtypicallysurroundsabuildingwithopenspace,traditionalChinese
architectureplacesbuildingsontheperimeterofthepropertywithopenspacesinthecenter.Theuseofopencourtisa
commonfeaturebestexemplifiedbyanemptyspacesurroundedbybuildingsconnectedwithoneanothereither
directlyorthroughverandas.Theseenclosuresserveintemperatureregulationandinventingthebuildingcomplexes
aswellasaseparationfromthebusystreet.Northernstructuresaretypicallyopenandfacingthesouthtoallowthe
maximumexposureofthebuildingwindowsandwallstothesun,whilekeepingthecoldwindsout.
http://arts.culturalchina.com/en/83Arts2984.html
Hierarchical:Buildingswithintheenclosurearelocatedaccordingtotheimportanceoftheinhabitants.Buildings
withdoorsfacingthefrontofthepropertyareconsideredmoreimportantthanthosefacingthesides.Buildingsinthe
rearareheldinhighesteemforeldermembersofthefamily.Inmultiplecourtyardcomplexesthecentralcourtyardis
consideredmoreimportantthantheperipheralones.Buildingsnearthefrontaretypicallyforservantsandhiredhelp.
Frontfacingbuildingsintherearareusedforcelebratoryritesandfortheplacementofancestralhallsandplaques.
http://arts.culturalchina.com/en/83Arts2985.html

BilateralSymmetry Anotherimportantfeatureistheemphasisonbilateralsymmetry,whichsignifiesbalance.
BilateralsymmetryisfoundeverywhereinChinesearchitecture,frompalacecomplexestohumblefarmhouses.When
possible,plansforrenovationandextensionofahousewilloftentrytomaintainthissymmetry.Suchlayoutsreflect
theaestheticstandardofharmonyandsymmetryinancientChineseConfucianismandTaoistphilosophies.
http://arts.culturalchina.com/en/83Arts2969.html

Horizontalemphasis:AnothercontrasttoWesternarchitectureistheemphasisonthehorizontalaxis,inthe
constructionofaheavyplatformandalargeroofthatfloatsoverthisbase,withtheverticalwallsnotaswell
emphasized.Chinesearchitecturestressesthevisualimpactofthewidthofthebuildings.Thisofcoursedoesnot
applytopagodas,whicharelimitedtoreligiousbuildingcomplexes.
http://arts.culturalchina.com/en/83Arts2968.html

Chineseroofs:InancientChinesearchitecture,thewalldidnotformaloadbearingelement.Thetoproofloadofa
structurewillbetransferredtoitsfoundationsthroughitsposts,beams,lintelsandjoists.AncientbuildingsinChina
havebeensupportedbywoodenframesforaslongassevenmillennia.Todaymoststructureshoweveraremadefrom
masonryusingthesameprinciples.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Chinese_wooden_architecture

DougongBrackets:ThedougongisasystemofbracketsuniquetotraditionalChinesearchitecture.Thesebrackets,
arrangedlikebasketsofflowers,aresetundertheoverhangingeaves,addingtothesumptuousmagnificenceofthe
buildings.TheancientChineseedificesaresogracefulwiththeirupturnedeavesandatthesametimesowell
constructedandenduring.Fromthepointofviewofstructuralmechanics,thedougongstructureishighlyresistantto
earthquakes.Itcouldholdthewoodstructuretogethereventhoughbrickwallswouldcollapseinthesameseismic
event.
.http://arts.culturalchina.com/en/84Arts1380.html

Cosmologicalconcepts:TraditionalconstructionofChinesebuildingsisveryoftenbasedontheChinesecosmology
andTaoistorganizingprinciplesoffengshui.Forexample:alternatingscreenwallsfacethemainentranceofthe
house,whichstemsfromthebeliefthatevilthingstravelinstraightlines.Roofdragonsanddoorguardsaredisplayed
ondoorwaystowardoffevilandfiguresareoftenprominentlydisplayedalongwithanimalsandfruitthatsymbolize
goodfortuneandprosperitysuchasbatsandpomegranates,respectively.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_architecture#Cosmological_concepts

Ornamentation:ArchitectsinancientChinausedifferentcolorsorpaintingsaccordingtotheparticularneed,
religiousbeliefsorlocalcustoms.Somebuildinginteriorsusemultiplecolorstomakestrongcontrast,whileothersuse
softercolortomakeitsimple,butelegant.Besidesthestressonthecolors,ancientbuildingsattachthesameweighton
decorationsandornamentoutside.Carvedbeams,paintedrafters,variouspatterns,inscribedboards,coupletshungon
pillars,andwallpaintingsareallusedtoaddtothecolorfulandbeautifulstyle.Stonelions,screenwalls,ornamental
columns,aswellasflowersareusedintheoutsideofabuilding.
http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/architecture/features.htm

ChineseGardens:ThegardenisanimportantelementofChineseancientarchitecture.Anotableexceptiontothe
symmetryofbuildings,Chinesegardensareasymmetricalinordertocreateenduringflowandalsoemulatenature.
Theyprovideaplaceforleisureandfullharmonywithnature.Chineserockgardensarefarlessformalthantheir
Japanesecounterpartswithanemphasisonamorenaturallook.

http://www.chinatravelkey.com/china_discover/china_architecture.htm#religiousarchitecture

HistoricChinesearchitecturalstructures:TofullyappreciatethearchitectureofChina,onehastoconsiderhowthe
historic,cultural,political,religiousandeconomicinstitutionsinfluencedstructuresoverthecenturies.

EarlyDynasties:AncientChinagoesbackroughlyto2500B.C.Theearlyfeudaldynasties(Xia,Shang,Zhou21
11thBC)werewalledcitiessituatedonthelowerYellowRiverwithhugewoodenpalaces,sacrificialbuildingsand
imperialgardens,noneofwhichsurvivedovertime,buthavebeendocumentedonbronzewareandetchedtortoise
shells.DuringtheZhouperiod,theadvancementofarchitecturalmaterialsandstructureemerged,withthatched
roofsgivingwaytotiledroofsandcoppercomponents.
http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/china/tp/ChineseDynasties033009.htm

Warringstatesandwalledcities:InancienttimesChinesestatesorganized,developedandfelloftenwarringagainst
eachother.Itwasduringthisperiodthatwallsandmoatswerebuiltaroundcitiestoprotectthemfrominvaders.
ManyofthewallsthatsurroundedancientChinesecitieshavebeenremoved.ThecitywallofBeijingwasbuiltaround
1435.Itwas23.5kmlong.Thethicknessatgroundlevelwas20mandthetop12m.Thewallwas15mhigh.Ithadnine
gatesandmanytowers,archways,watchtowers,barbicans,sluicegates,sluicegatetowers,cornerguardtowersanda
moat.ItwasthemostextensivedefensesysteminImperialChina,butwasremovedin1965tomakewayforthecity
subwayandsecondringroad.
AmodernexampleofaChinesewalledcitysurroundedbyamotethathassurvivedtodayinthecityXianincentral
China.Thewallisa10krectanglewithtowersandgatesandapopularwalkwayrestoredtotheoriginalstructure.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing_city_fortifications
QinDynasty/GreatWallQinShiHuaingwasthefirstemperortoabsorbandunifyChinaswarringkingdomsand
createastandardizedweights,measurements,roads,writingandmoney.Thiscentralizationofpowerledtothe
beginningoflargescaleconstructionprojectssuchasTheGreatWallandTheGrandCanal.
QinDynastyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qin_Dynasty
TheGreatWallofChinaisaseriesofstoneandearthenfortificationsinnorthernChina,builtoriginallytoprotectthe
northernbordersoftheChineseEmpireagainstintrusionsbyvariousnomadicgroups.Severalwallshavebeenbuilt
sincethe5thcenturyBCthatarereferredtocollectivelyastheGreatWall,whichhasbeenrebuiltandmaintainedfrom
the5thcenturyBC.Oneofthemostfamousisthewallbuiltbetween220206BCbythefirstEmperorofChinaQin
ShiHaung.Littleofthatwallremains;themajorityoftheexistingwallwasbuiltduringtheMingDynasty.TheGreat
Wallstretchesfor5,500kilometers.Beforetheuseofbricksitwasmainlybuiltfromrammedearth,stones,andwood.
DuringtheMingDynasty,however,brickswereheavilyusedinmanyareasofthewall,aswerematerialssuchastiles
andlimestone.Thesizeandweightofthebricksmadethemeasiertoworkwithsoconstructionquickened.
Additionally,brickscouldbearmoreweightandendurebetterthanrammedearth.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Wall_of_China

GrandCanal:TheGrandCanalconstructionwasequalincomplexitytotheGreatWall,thoughmosthistorybooks
makelittlereferencetoit.Itisthelongestcanalintheworld,startingatBeijingandpassingallthewaythroughtothe
cityofHangzhouforatotallengthof1,776km(1,104mi.).Despitetemporaryperiodsofdesolationanddisuse,the
GrandCanalfurtheredanindigenousandgrowingeconomicmarketinChina'surbancenterssincetheSuiperiod.
Today,amodernnorthtosouthwatertransferprojectiscurrentlybeingbuiltusingtheoriginalGrandCanalandother
riversystemstorelieveawatershortageinthedryernorthernregionsofChina.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canal_%28
Religious influences The main religious and philosophical movements in China have been Confucianism, Daoism
(Taoism), Legalism and Buddhism Structures during the early dynasties were influenced from the Confucianism
system of humanist rules, later expressed in Imperial architecture. Generally speaking, the architecture of Buddhism
followed the Imperial style. This style developed over many centuries, but reached a climax when the seat of political
power moved from western China to Beijing in the 13th century. Daoist architecture, on the other hand, usually follow
the commoners style. Daoist (Lao-Tzu) Yin Yang Fu Shu influenced structures through a religious expression of mans
relationship to nature.
Today one can find examples of Buddhist, Daoist, Muslim and Christian structures that have fused traditional Chinese
architectural principals with the unique symbols, colors and patterns of those religious philosophies.
www.chinatravelkey.com/china_discover/china_architecture.htm#religiousarchitecture
PagodaswereintroducedwhenBuddhismarrivedfromIndia.Thesestructuresweremuchtallerthantraditional
ChinesebuildingsandbecameintegratedintoallaspectsofChinesearchitecture.Thepagodaevolvedfromthestupaa
tomblikestructurewheresacredrelicscouldbekeptsafeandvenerated.Theoriginaldomeshapedstructureofthe
IndianstupawasgraduallyfusedtogetherwiththedesignofancientChinesetowerstoformtheshapeoftheChinese
pagoda.TheearliestbasestructuretypesforChinesepagodasweresquarebaseandcircularbase,butbythe5th10th
centuriestheChinesebegantobuildoctagonalbasepagodatowers.ThehighestChinesepagodafromthepremodern
ageistheLiaodiPagodainDingzhou,HebeiProvince.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_pagoda

ForbiddenCityislocatedatoneendofTiananmenSquareinCentralBeijing.TheChinesewordfor"palace"isgong,
whichintheearliestChinesewritingsmeansnothingmorethananordinaryhouse,thoughthisisnoordinaryhouse.
Foralmost2000yearstheImperialpalacehasbeenalargegroupsofbuildings,wheretheemperorsofChinalivedand
worked.TheForbiddenCityofBeijingisstillintacttodayandcoversanareaof720,00squaremetersandembraces
manyhalls,towers,pavilions,includingatotalof,9900rooms.Itisthegreatestandbiggestpalaceintheworld.
http://www.chinatravelkey.com/china_discover/china_architecture.htm

TheTempleofHeavenwasdesignatedasaUNESCOWorldHeritageSitein1998andwasdescribedatthetimeas"a
masterpieceofarchitectureandlandscapedesign,whichsimplyandgraphicallyillustratesacosmogonyofgreat
importancefortheevolutionofoneoftheworldsgreatcivilizations..."asthe"symboliclayoutanddesignofthe
TempleofHeavenhadaprofoundinfluenceonarchitectureandplanningintheFarEastovermanycenturies."[2]The
surroundingsoftheTempleofHeavenisnowaverypopularparkforexercising.Thetemplecomplexwasconstructed
from1406to1420duringthereignoftheYongleEmperor,whowasalsoresponsiblefortheconstructionofthe
ForbiddenCityinBeijing.ItwasoriginallynamesthealterofheavenbutrenamedTheTempleofHeaveninthe16th
century.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Heaven
20thCenturyBritishinfluences:GreatBritaincontrolledChineseportcitiesforovera100years,whichresultedina
westernstyleofbuildingsincoastalareas.TheBunddistrictofShanghaiisagoodexampleofthisinfluenceandhas
beenpreservedtodayalongtheHuangpuRiver.Theword"bund"meansanembankment.TheShanghaiBundhas
dozensofhistoricalrenovatedbuildingsalongtheriver,thatoncehousedinternationalbanksandtradinghouses.By
the1940stheBundhousedtheheadquartersofmany,ifnotmost,ofthemajorfinancialinstitutionsoperatinginChina,
includingthe"bigfour"nationalbanksintheRepublicofChinaera.However,withtheCommunistvictoryinthe
Chinesecivilwar,manyofthefinancialinstitutionsweremovedoutgraduallyinthe1950s,andthehotelsandclubs
closed,fellintodisrepairorwereconvertedtootheruses.Theareasbuildingstodayhavebecomeamodelofhistoric
preservationofthistimeperiod.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bund
FrenchInfluence:TherearealsoareasofShanghaiwherethearchitectureandlandscapewereheavilyinfluencedby
theFrenchresultinginaFrenchQuarterorwhatwasknownasTheFrenchConcession.TheFrenchConcession
despiterampantredevelopmentoverthelastfewdecades,retainsadistinctcharacter,andisapopulartourist
destinationdueinparttothequiet,leafytreelinedstreetsinthearea.Todaythisareaanditstreesareprotectedby
governmentenforcedpreservationcontrols.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai_French_Concession

Russiancommunistinfluence:Asareactiontothe100yearsofhumiliationtheChinese,undertheleadershipof
Mao,adoptedacommunistgovernmentimportedfromtheUSSRinthelate1940s.Thebrutalistarchitecture,asitwas
known,wasaradicaldeparturefromtraditionalChinese.Buildingswereconcretedehumanizingstructures,voidofany
aestheticorfunctionalqualities,sothatpeoplecouldberegimentedandcontrolled.Thismovement,whichultimately
failed,leadtothedestructionsofmanyhistoricreligiousstructureswhichwerereplacedbylargescalegovernment
buildings.ThereareafewpositiveshowcasesfromthisperiodsuchasBeijing'sGreatHallofthePeopleacrossfrom
TiananmenSquare,aswellasopenspaceparksandsquaresinmostChinesecities.Today,smoderngovernment
buildingsaremuchlessharshandmoreinkeepingwithpostmodernarchitecturalaesthetics.
http://www.chinatraveldepot.com/C187ChineseArchitecture
ModernChinesearchitectureandstructures:AfterMaosdeath,ChinasleaderDengXiaopingleadChinato
developacompetitivemarketeconomyandbecomeamodern,industrialnationTheriseofChinaseconomyhaslead
toaboomintheconstructionofinfrastructure,residentialapartmentsandcommercialskyscrapers.

Constructioncompaniesnownumberinthethousandswhile,furnitureandinteriorproductsmanufacturersareinthe
tensofthousands.AccordingtoChinasMinistryofConstruction,Chinaconstructed4.1billionsquarefeetofnew
housingprojectsby2000and53billionsquarefeetbytheyear2005.

http://www.fas.usda.gov/info/agexporter/2001/jan/China.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deng_Xiaoping

ModernShanghaiTheworld'smostrenownedarchitectsareflockingtoShanghai,wheretheyarebuildingthe
world'sbiggestskyscrapersandhotels,futuristicmodeltowns,themecitiesandnumerousotherneverseenbefore
projects.ThelistofarchitectsatworkinShanghaireadslikeanhonorrollfortheindustry:fromindividualslikeSir
NormanFosterandMichaelGraves,tomegaAmericanfirmslikeKPFandSkidmore,Owens,&Merrilldesignerof
Chicago'sSearsTowerandJohnHancockBuilding,
ModernShanghaicombinesthesoulofHoustonwiththebodyofLasVegasortheskylineofanAmericancitywith
theglitzofthestripInPudong,thecitysboomingfinancialdistrict,flashingtrailsofcoloredlightsraceupanddown
theshaftsofofficetowersasiftheywerecasinos.Bridges,cartunnels,subway,underwaterpedestrianshuttleso
manyoptionsconnectPudongtoPuxi,orShanghaiproper.
CurrentlyunderconstructionistheShanghaiTower,whichisdesignedbytheAmericanarchitecturalfirmGensler.The
towerwilltaketheformofninecylindricalbuildingsstackedatopeachother,enclosedbytheinnerlayeroftheglass
facade.Betweenthatandtheouterlayer,whichtwistsasitrises,nineindoorzoneswillprovidepublicspacefor
visitors.Eachofthesenineareaswillhaveitsownatrium,featuringgardens,cafes,restaurantsandretailspaceand
providing360degreeviewsofthecity.Theseskygardenswillcutdownthetimeneededforpeopletotravelonthe
building'selevators,andwillprovidevisitorsaplacetomeet,eatandshop.Thedesignofthetower'sglassfaadeis
intendedtoreducewindloadsonthebuildingby24%,meaningfewerconstructionmaterialsareneeded,including
25%lessstructuralsteel.Verticalaxiswindturbineslocatednearthetopofthetowerwillgenerateupto350,000kwh.
ofelectricityperyear,supplementingthetower'sconventionalelectricalpowersystems.TheownersoftheShanghai
Tower,ShanghaiTowerConstructionandDevelopment,hopetobeawardedcertificationsfromtheChinaGreen
BuildingCommitteeandtheU.S.GreenCouncilforthebuilding'ssustainabledesign.
http://www.gluckman.com/ShanghaiArchGeo.html

ModernBeijing:Beijingsairportisdesignedtohandle55millionpassengersayearinitiallyafiguresthatpushthe
newfacilityintotheranksofthetop10busiestairportsintheworld,
Acitystillcharacterizedbyconservative,Stalinistarchitecture?Notanymore.Infact,evenColdWarthrowbackslike
TiananmenSquarenolongerofferrespitefrommodernconstruction.BehindtheGreatHallofthePeople,asitethe
sizeoffoursoccerpitches,incubatesastructurethatsomecalltheAlienEgg.InadaringdesignbyFrencharchitect
PaulAndreu,thethreehallsthatcomprisethenewNationalTheateraretuckedinsidetheeggoftitaniumandglass.
VisitorsenterbyescalatorandappeartoplungeintothewaterwithMao'sportraitattheForbiddenCitybehindthem.

Atnight,thesemitransparentskingivespassersbyaglimpseattheperformanceinsideoneofthreeauditoriums,a
featurethathighlightsthebuilding'spublicnature.
HasBeijingstastematured?SwissarchitectsJacquesHerzogandPierredeMeuron,whodesignedLondon'sTate
moderngallery,alsodesignedtheOlympicStadiumthatresemblesabirdsnest.Herzog&deMeuronsNational
StadiuminBeijingisanattempttorethinktheclassicsportsarenalayoutformoreecologicallycorrecttimes.The
Swissarchitectswantedtoprovidenaturalventilationforthe91,000seatstructureperhapsthelargest"ecofriendly"
sportsstadiumdesignedtodate.Toachievethis,theysetouttocreateabuildingthatcouldfunctionwithoutastrictly
enclosedshell,yetalsoprovideconstantshelterfortheaudienceandathletesalike.
TheheadquartersforCCTV,China'sstatetelevisionnetworkresemblesacartoonversionoftheletter"Z."At230
metershigh,thebrightlycolored,continuousloopwithnorightanglestowersovereveryotherbuildinginthecity.
http://www.stevenholl.com/projectdetail.php?id=58
http://www.gluckman.com/BeijingArchitecture.html

TheThreeGorgesDamistheworldslargestpowerstationat20,300megawatts.Thedambodywascompletedin
2006.Eachturbinehasacapacityof700mw.Aswellasproducingelectricity,thedamincreasestheYangtzeRiver's
shippingcapacity,andreducesthepotentialforfloodsdownstreambyprovidingfloodstoragespace.TheChinese
governmentregardstheprojectasahistoricengineering,socialandeconomicsuccess,withthedesignofstateofthe
artlargeturbines,andamovetowardlimitinggreenhousegasemissions.However,thedamfloodedarcheologicaland
culturalsitesanddisplacedsome1.3millionpeople,andiscausingsignificantecologicalchanges,includingan
increasedriskoflandslides.ThedamhasbeenacontroversialtopicbothinChinaandabroad.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Gorges_Dam

TheSouthNorthWaterTransferProject
InChina,theindustrializednorthhaslittlerainfallandthereforehasalimitedwatersupply.AlreadytheYellowRiver
hasoftengonedryinitslowerreachesinrecentdecadesandsomeoftheHuaiRivertributariesalmostdrythroughout
throughouttheyear.SouthernChinahasadequatewater.TheideafortheSouthNorthWaterTransferProject
originatedfromTheGrandCanal,whichiscurrentlybeingupgradedtoserveastheeasternrouteoftheproject.
AdditionalamountsofwaterfromtheYangtzewillbedrawnintothecanalfrompumpingstationsandthroughatunnel
undertheYellowRiver,fromwhereitcanflowdownhilltoreservoirsnearTianjininthenorth.
Onthetablenowaretwoadditionalsouthtonorthroutes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SouthNorth_Water_Transfer_Project
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South%E2%80%93North_Water_Transfer_Project

ModernResidentialChina ItseemslikeeverywhereyoulookinChinayouseecranesatopbuildingsrisingupward.
Chinesecitieshavebuilthousingfor300millionnewresidents(ThepopulationoftheU.S.)fromruralareasoverthe
past15yearsandplansareintheworksforhousinganother300millioninthenearfuture.Unlikethegreyresidential
structuresbuiltduringthepeoplesrevolution,thesestructuresareattractiveandinmanycasesonthecuttingedgeof
greentechnology.

TheLinkedHybridproject,inBeijing,willhouse2,500peoplein700apartmentscovering1.6millionsquarefeet,isa
modelforlargescalesustainableresidentialarchitecture.Thesitewillfeatureoneoftheworld'slargestgeothermal
coolingandheatingsystems,whichwillstabilizethetemperaturewithinthecomplexofeightbuildings,alllinkedat
the20thfloorbyaringofcafsanddrycleaners.Thewatercirculationsystemservesasagiantradiatorinthewinter
andcoolingsysteminthesummer.Ithasnoboilerstosupplyheat,noelectricairconditionerstosupplycool.The
apartmentsalsofeaturegraywaterrecyclingaprocessthatisjuststartingtocatchoninBeijinginmuchsmaller
buildingstofilterwastewaterfromkitchensinksandwashbasinsbackintotoilets.
http://www.chinesearchitecture.info/TEN/TENCHINA.htm

GreenChina:Forenthusiastsofclimateandofenergy,China'sthemainevent.Thecountryusesthemostenergy,
mostcoal,moststeelandmostcementofanynationwiththat,itemitsthemostpollutionandgreenhousegases.
PollutionfromChinaalonedirectlyaffectstheearth'sclimate.Roughly10millionpeoplearemovingfromthecountry
tocitieseveryyearinChinainsomecases,theprovincialgovernmentwillcommissionacityof500,000peopleand
builditfromscratch.Anew,largecoalplantisbuiltinChinaeveryweekinsomeyears,twiceaweek.Tooffsetthis
China'sgrowinggreensectorwilldominatethiscentury'strajectory,incommerce,industry,climate,andenergy.The
followingareafewinnovationsinChinasgreenrevolution:
McKibben,Bill."CanChinagogreen?."NationalGeographic.June2011:116134.Print.
TheworldslargestsolarpoweredbuildinghasbeenunveiledinnorthwestChina.Thestructureisamultiuse
buildingandfeaturesexhibitioncenters,scientificresearchfacilities,meetingandtrainingfacilities,andahotelallof
whichrunonsolarpower.Thedesignofthebuildingisbasedonthesundialandunderlinestheurgencyofseeking
renewableenergysourcestoreplacefossilfuels.TwothirdsofChinasvastlandisidealforsolarpowercites
NationalGeographic
http://inhabitat.com/worldslargestsolarenergyofficebuildingopensinchina/
TheMoonIslandprojectisspreadonamoonshapedsiteandislocatedunderahugegreenroof.Theroofslightly
andnaturallyslopesupfromthecitytowardtheriver,invitingpeopletohaveawalkintheroofpublicpark.Holesare
dugintheroofinordertoletnaturallightcomeintotheinnerstreetsandinsidetheblocks,andtoallowpeopleto
movefreelyfromtherooftotheinnerspaces.Carsparkinthebasementsothatthewholeareabecomesapedestrian
cityspace.Thisgreenroofcreatesnaturalinsulation.Rainwaterwillbecollectedandreinjectedinthegeneralsystem
ofthebuilding.Solarpanelswillbeplacedontheroofandtheelectricitycreatedwillbedirectlyusedforthebasement.
Geothermicheatingsystemisusedfortheheatingofthebuilding.
http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=15101

TheUrbanForestdesignconceptwasinspiredbymountainousChineselandscapesandthetraditionalvillagesbuilt
onhillsides.DesignedforChongqing,theprojectconsistsofastackedverticalforestsetintheheartofthecity,
designedtobringmorenatureandopenspaceinadenseandcompactway.
MADArchitectsUnveilUrbanForestSkyscraperForChina|InhabitantGreenDesignWillSavetheWorld
TheShanghaiTowernowunderconstructionisatwisting,windingmarvelofmodernarchitecture.At632meters,the
Towerissaidtorise140metershigherthantheMoriBuildingcurrentlytheworld'shighestobservatorysecuringits

titleasthetallestbuildinginChinaandthe2ndtallestbuildingintheworld.Italsousesmoregreentechnologythan
anythingcomparable.
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/03/greenchinarising/73263/

Trains&Bridges:TheShanghaiMaglevTrainisamagneticlevitationtrainlinethatoperatesinShanghai.Itis
notableforbeingthefirstcommercialhighspeedmagneticlevitationlineintheworld.Thetopoperationalspeedof
thistrainis431km/h(268mph),makingittheworld'sfastesttraininregularcommercialservicessinceitsopeningin
2004.WithinafewyearsChinawillhaveasmuchhighspeedtrack(some8000miles)astherestoftheworld
combinedcitesNationalGeographic.TheLhasaExpresstrainrunsonthehighestraillineintheworldinTibet.This
isaspecialtrainthatprovidesitspassengerswithoxygencanisters,becauseitruns13,000feetormoreabovesealevel
formorethan80percentoftherouteandtopsataheightof16,640feet.TheridestartsfromBeijingandendsinthe
capitalcityofTibet,Lhasa.Thetrainpassesthroughallkindsoflandscapes,beitdeepvalleys,hilltops,vastdeserts
orfrozenlandsmakingtheengineeringexceptional.
Maglevhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai_Maglev_Train
LhasaExpresshttp://www.tibettours.com/lhasaexpress.html

DonghaiBridgeisoneofthelargestbridgesintheworld,connectingShanghaiandYangshanIsland.Thebridgewas
officiallyopenedin2005andithasalengthof32kilometers.Eventhoughlastyear,thebridgewasdethronedby
anotherChinesebridge,whichis36kilometerslong,theDonghaiBridgeremainsamiracleoftechnology.Thereare
twocablestayedsections,whichallowshipstopass.Atnight,theentirebridgeisilluminatedtoinsuresafety.The
LupuBridgeisanabbreviationofthetwodistrictsofShanghaiwhichitlinksLuwanDistrictonthenorthbank,and
PudongDistrictonthesouthbank.Constructionbeganusingacantilevermethodandtemporarycablestays.Over
35,000tonsofsteelwereused.ThebridgesarchwasjoinedonOctober7,2002.Whenthebridgewascompleted,it
becametheworldslongestarchedbridge.YangpuBridgeisadoubletoweranddoublecablestayedbridge,withthe
bridgeproper(thepartthatspanstheriver)1172mlong.Its30.35mwidthhassixlanesoftraffic(threeineach
direction).Itstwopylonsreach223minheight.Thehighestshipclearanceis48m,anecessityduetotheheavyriver
traffic.
Bridgeshttp://business.rediff.com/slideshow/2010/jun/18/slideshow1stunningbridgesofchina.htm

ChinasFutureArchitecturefacesenormousproblemswithpollution,waterandhousingmillionsofpeoplewhoare
movingtothecities.Atthesametimeithasequallyenormousplansforgreengrowthanddevelopment.InShanghai
andBeijinggiant3Dmodelsareondisplaythatillustratetheambitiousplansforthefutureexpansionofthesecities.
Thevisionisnothinglessthanmindbogglingandthearchitecturefuturisticasindicatedintheseexamples:
TheRENbuildingwasaproposalforahotel,sportsandconferencecenterforthe2010ShanghaiWorldExpo.The
buildingtakesitsformfromtheChinesecharacterforpersonandcombinestwobuildings(onesymbolicofmindand
theothersymbolicofbody).Designerslovethepoeticinspirationthatreflectsbothsiteandculturalsensitivity.The
firstbuilding,emergingfromthewater,isdevotedtotheactivitiesofthebodyandhousesawaterculturecentre.The
secondbuilding,emergingfromland,isdevotedtospiritandenlightenmentandhousestheconferencecentreand
meetingfacilities.Thetwobuildingsmeetina1,000roomhotelandformtheChinesecharacterfor'person',"The

RENbuildingcouldbetheEiffelTowerofShanghai."Theprincipleofyinandyangandthefiveelementsoffengshui
areembeddedinthearchitecture.
http://www.millionface.com/l/therenbuildingshanghaisiconofarchitecture/
SongjiangHotel:Atkinswonaninternationaldesigncompetitiontodesignafivestarresorthotelsetwithina
beautifulwaterfilledquarryintheSongjiangdistrictclosetoShanghai.Itsstunningconceptdesignsinspiredbythe
naturalwaterandlandscapefeaturesofthequarrycapturedtheimaginationofjudgeswhovotedonthe400bedresort
hotelstandingtwolevelshigherthantherockfaceofthe100meterdeepquarrythatincludesunderwaterpublicareas
andguestrooms.Sustainabilityisintegraltothedesignrangingfromusinggreenroofingforthestructuresabovethe
groundleveltogeothermalenergyextraction.Anaquaticthemerunsthroughthedesignbothvisuallyandfunctionally.
Twounderwaterlevelswillhousearestaurantandguestroomsfacingatenmeterdeepaquarium.Anextremesports
centreforactivitiessuchasrockclimbingandbungeejumpingwillbecantileveredoverthequarryandaccessedby
specialliftsfromthewaterlevelofthehotel.
http://www.arkitectrue.com/songjianghotelshanghai/
AnothertowerbeingplannedinShanghaiwillbegreenestskyscraperintheworldwhencompleted.Thearchitects
haveveryconsciouslyincludedanarrayofsustainableelementsinthedesignofthebuilding.Forwaterrecycling,a
waterrecoverysystemwillbeinstalledwhichwilltakewaterfromthehotellaundry,kitchen,andbathroomsandwill
reuseitforcoolingpurpose.Forahighlyefficientlightingsystem,lowenergyconsuminglightsandlampswillbe
installed.Besidestherewillalsobeadaylightresponsivesystemwhichwillturnofflightsautomaticallyincaseof
sufficientsunlight.Forconservationofwaterlowflowplumbingsystemswillbeinstalledwhichwillensure
conservationofenergyandminimizationofpotablewaterwastage.
http://www.trendir.com/ultramodern/modernchinaarchitectureshanghaitowertwistsitswaytothe
top.html

TheSuperstarisaconceptproposalforanewkindofChinatown:onewhichcanreflectthedynamic,everchanging
natureofcontemporaryChinesesociety.TheSuperstarisanenormous,freestandingcommunitythathoversabovethe
city.TheSuperstarisnotlimitedtoonetimeorplace:itcanmovearoundtheworld,offeringanalternative,Chinese
visionofthefuturetoalltheworldscitizens.Howallthiswillworkisstilltheory,buttheconceptgivesusinsightinto
thefuturethinkingofcontemporaryChina.
http://vi.sualize.us/view/palolazola/e2b99518eb9f7533a43b0d87206792a0/

PrintReference
Bas,Tom.Ed.InsightGuidesChina.11.Singapore:ApaPublicationsGmbH&Co,2010.476.Print.
Goldberger,Paul.Buildingupandtearingdown.NewYork:RandomHouse,2009.
Granat,Diana,andStanleeBrinberg.China.first.NewYork:Scholasticprofessionalbooks,1999.
McKibben,Bill."CanChinagogreen?."NationalGeographic.June2011:116134.Print.

WebPhotoReferencesinOrderofAppearance.
1.

Blackslide

2.

Titleslide

3.

ChineseElements

Hutong: http://www.travelchinanow.com/attraction/beijing/beijinghutong/
ForbiddenCityhttp://mannaismayaadventure.wordpress.com/2010/08/21/theforbiddencity/

4.Enclosure/Hierarchical
http://www.clas.ufl.edu/jur/200707/papers/paper_greist.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_architecture

5.Bilateralsymmetry/Horizontalemphasishttp://www.sldint.com/a/bestarticles/Chinese_history/
http://www.chinajuetravel.com/China%20Guides.asp?Ncla=6&Cla=10

6.Chineseroofs&DougongBrackets
Roofhttp://www.chinainfoonline.com/Chinese_Architecture/Dougong_Brackets.htm
Dougonghttp://apworldhistoryrochesterk12mius.wikispaces.com/2B.+Chinese+Political+Systems+%26+Cultural
+Patterns

7.Cosmologicalconcepts
Chineseentrywayhttp://specialevents.com/photogallery/redmakesbolddecorstatementatspecialevents/index7.html
FooDoghttp://www.birdbathsandfountains.com/foodogstatue
Hutonghttp://picasaweb.google.com/srferguson28/China2007ScottBea
Dragonhttp://blog.chinatraveldepot.com/tag/chinatours/

8.Ornamentation
https://www.inmagine.com/imagebrokerrm098/ptg01142123photo
Coloredornamentationhttp://www.cbi.gov.cn/wisework/content/15359.html
Templedesignshttp://www.thaiworldview.com/hongkong/newterritories/fanling4.htm

9.Chinesegardens
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ypeterli/2883501157/
http://photos.igougo.com/photos/journal/pref/gardens_2_prefRes.jpg
Rockgarden1http://www.international.ucla.edu/asia/events/showevent.asp?eventid=4878
Rockgarden2http://www.international.ucla.edu/asia/events/showevent.asp?eventid=4878

10.Titleslide;HistoricChinesearchitecturalstructures

11.EarlyDynasties
Zhouperiodarchitecturehttp://imagerepository.net/images/z/h/25

12.WarringStates/walledcities
Paintinghttp://history.culturalchina.com/en/183History6970.html
Beijinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Beijing_Dongzhimen_1908.jpg
Xi'anWall1http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/ta00da20d4e5cb
Xi'anWall/motehttp://www.beijinggreatwalltour.com/chinaattractions/ancientcitywall.html

13.QinDynasty
QinShiHuanghttp://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/warringstates.htm
GreatWallmaphttp://www.chinadiscover.net/chinatour/greatwall/greatwallmaps.htm

GreatWallhttp://www.citypictures.org/r4075.search.htm
GreatWallhttp://www.toptourguide.com/worldtourismupdates/

14.GrandCanal
GrandCanalhttp://www.rodhandeland.com/FreshWater/Class%20IV%20%20World.htm
GrandCanalhttp://www.chinatourstravel.com/chinatouristattractions/Hangzhoutouristsspots/grandcanalof
china.html
GrandCanalhttp://kaleidoscope.culturalchina.com/en/10Kaleidoscope5290.html
GrandCanalhttp://www.chinatoday.com/travel/china_travel_guide/china_grand_canal.htm
15.ReligiousInfluences

Xi'anBuddhisttemplehttp://www.chinatour.cn/XianTours/XTPXBT01S.htm
EightsidedTaoistTemplehttp://www.travelblog.org/Photos/582840
MuslimMosquehttp://blog.travelpod.com/travel
photo/nagster/round_the_world/1160299380/imgp1121.jpg/tpod.html
ChineseChristianChurchhttp://dailytravelphotos.com/archive/thumbs/index.php?y=2011&p=6

16.Pagodas
Closedevespagodahttp://arts.culturalchina.com/en/84Arts1415.html
WildGoosepagodaXi'anhttp://factoidz.com/thechinesepagoda2/
ChinasTallestpagodahttp://factoidz.com/thechinesepagoda2/
LingxiaoWoodenPagodahttp://scenery.culturalchina.com/en/128S8602S13155.html

17.ForbiddenCity
ForbiddenCity1http://www.lycheetravel.com/beijingtravelguide.html
ForbiddenCitymaphttp://chinatravelgo.com/beijingtheforbiddencity/

ForbiddenCity3http://us.fotolia.com/id/4835746
Forbiddencity6http://www.eastwesttours.com/tours_china09.htm

18.TempleofHeaven
http://www.chinatourguide.com/beijing/temple_of_heaven.html
http://www.drben.net/ChinaReport/Beijing/LandmarksHotspots/ChongWen/Tiantan_GongYuan
Temple_of_Heaven_Park/Tiantan_Park_2bSouth_Gate.html
http://www.travelpod.com/s/photos/Temple+of+Heaven

19.BritishInfluence
Bundhttp://www.earnshaw.com/shanghaiedindia/tales/tbuil01.htm
Bund2http://www.earnshaw.com/shanghaiedindia/tales/tbuil01.htm
Bundhttp://www.chinatourguide.com/Shanghai/the_bund.html
FrenchInfluences
FrenchQuarterShanghaihttp://www.visitourchina.com/guide/shanghai_french_concession.htm
FrenchQuarterhttp://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2010/05/13/aroundtheworldinshanghai/
FrenchQuarterhttp://gochina.about.com/od/cityareaguidesinchina/ig/ShanghaiPhotoGallery/FrenchConcession
Shanghai.htm

20.Russian/CommunistInfluences
TheFrenchShikumenHousehttp://www.concierge.com/travelguide/shanghai/photos/photoview/64187
GreatHallofthePoeplehttp://madmonarchist.blogspot.com/2010/08/architecturalcontrasts.html
GreyBoxhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/matthartzell/5978247712/in/photostream/
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpostblogs/bricyard/buildingbig
Tiananmen1http://www.beijingholiday.com/photo/tiananmensquare.html
Tiananmen2http://interlakechinatours.blogspot.com/2010/04/tiananmensquareinbeijing.html

21.TitleslideModernChinesearchitecture

22.ModernShanghai
WorldFinancialcenter
http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2008/11/26/napolean_complex_for_renzo_shanghai_wins_tallest_building.php
JinMaoTowerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jin_Mao_Tower.jpg
Shanghaiskyscrapershttp://blogs.bootsnall.com/Grigo/page/2
Shanghaiatnighthttp://shanghai17.jimdo.com/otherdreamworldsmallsandgatedcommunities/

23.ModernBeijing
BeijingAirporthttp://www.nexans.com/eservice/Corporateen/navigatepub_199950_
17335/Nexans_cables_at_the_heart_of_Beijing_Internationa.html
BirdsNest;http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/7082387.stm
CCTVhttp://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=179084
BeijingNationalTheaterhttp://2008gamesbeijing.com/10amazingnewbuildingsinchina/

24.ThreeGorgesDam
http://www.asianinfrastructure.com/news/newsthreegorgesdam/
http://www.asianinfrastructure.com/news/newsthreegorgesdam/
http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~vanti20m/classweb/website/home.html
http://www.hiyangtze.com/cruiseslog/threegorgesdamthethreegorgesproject/

25.SouthNorthwaterdiversionproject
thttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/9132843.stm
http://news.sky.com/home/worldnews/article/15663813

SNWatertransfermaphttp://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2007/09/27/world/28china_map.html
SNWatertransferhttp://www.google.com/imgres?q=The+South
North+Water+Transfer+Project&hl=en&client=firefoxa&hs=gPE&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en
US:official&biw=1026&bih=615&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=IGJgj_ipg2A6JM:&imgrefurl=http://g

26.ModernResidentialChina
http://www.ericgregorypowell.com/blog/2009/03/competingskylinedefiningstructures.html
Chinaconstructionskylinehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/26003188@N06/2586136544/
Residentialhttp://www.bonkee.com/contemporaryresidentialarchitecturefrompbelemental/
LinkedHybrid,Beijinghttp://www.archicentral.com/linkedhybridbeijingchinastevenhollarchitects3719/

27.GreenChina
Largestsolarbuildinghttp://www.google.com/imgres?q=Green+china+architecture&hl=en&client=firefox
a&hs=Fgr&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en
MoonIslandhttp://www.topboxdesign.com/tag/greenroof/page/2/
Urbanforesthttp://inhabitat.com/madarchitectsunveilurbanforestskyscraperforchina/
ShanghaiTowerhttp://www.trendir.com/ultramodern/modernchinaarchitectureshanghaitowertwistsitswayto
thetop.html

28Trains&Bridges
Maglevhttp://home.wangjianshuo.com/archives/20030809_pudong_airport_maglev_in_depth.htm
TraintoTibethttp://www.topbeijingtravel.com/chinatours/19daystibettour/
Donghaibridgehttp://travelling2009.com/category/asia/page/2
Lupubridgehttp://www.coolestarticles.net/2010/06/amazingbridgesaroundworld.html
RunyangBridgehttp://business.rediff.com/slideshow/2010/jun/18/slideshow1stunningbridgesofchina.htm

29.Future

SongjaingHotelhttp://www.arkitectrue.com/songjianghotelshanghai/
RENBuildinghttp://inhabitat.com/the%E4%BA%BArenbuilding/
Shanghaifuturemodelhttp://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=533046&page=11
WuhanGreenlandCenterWorldstallestGreenBuildinghttp://agreenliving.org/chicagofirmtobuildworldsfourth
tallestbuildinginchina/

30.Superstarprojecthttp://vi.sualize.us/view/palolazola/e2b99518eb9f7533a43b0d87206792a0/
http://www.trendir.com/ultramodern/modernchinaarchitectureshanghaitowertwistsitswaytothetop.html

31.Blackoutslide