Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Architecture – China – Beijing'

From the four-thousand-year obsession with timber structures to the radical fascination of steel and glass in recent decades, in a Westerner's eye, Chinese architecture evolves either too slow or too fast. The current construction boom may seem parallel to Mao's Great Leap Forward in late 1950s, when the entire nation was taking radical action for socialist industrialization; this time, it is capitalist modernization. A polarized situation surfaces as some architects are willing to align with the government and drastically transform their architecture to keep up with the movement, while others are urging for an effort to connect the past and the present, so that traditions can continue to evolve along with technological advancement. Theories of modern Chinese architecture have birthed mainly from this debate.

The struggle with modernization began almost a century ago. After the fall of the Imperial Qing in 1911, foreign architects and local designers with Western academic backgrounds introduced formalism, functionalism, modernism, and traditionalism into the siheyuans (traditional courtyard houses) and imperial palaces of the capital city. The quest for a consciously "modern Chinese" architecture began. In the 1950s, China underwent a huge phase of reshaping along with the ascendancy of communism. The communist government adopted Soviet models to make Beijing a paradigm for social realism. They brought down ancient infrastructures and historical buildings to make way for monuments, worker apartments, and public squares. They advocated the idea of "national form and socialist content" to derive a new architecture.

From the 1980s on, Beijing and the entire nation began to enjoy the first-ever continuous twenty-five years of undisrupted time on urban and social development since the turning of the twentieth century. Under the open-door economic reform, the authorities began to transform Beijing into a cosmopolitan. The capital city was to perform not only as a showcase for political stability, but also to express the national image, values, and beliefs. They attempted to retain the tradition of Chinese order on one hand, and to welcome capitalist commodities and foreign technologies on the other. Citizens remain proud of their four-thousand-year heritage but are also overwhelmed by materialistic luxury from the economic boom. To the authorities, erasure of Beijing's physical past becomes legitimate under the reconstruction of selected heritage buildings and a rapid urban development.

Contemporary architecture in Beijing represents the chaotic phenomenon of today?s China. Bounded by its ghosted city wall, the rapidly changing capital epitomizes the conflict between the old and new. Pressures upon the shoulders of the local architects remain strong: political and economic constraints, legacies of the past, ambition to catch up with the world, and the urge of self-rediscovery in the globalized stage. What is the reality behind the ambition to catch up with the developed world? Is the desire to become modern and at the same time maintain their traditions only a curl-de-sac that leads to nowhere?

This thesis is a quest to revaluate the evolution of Chinese architecture from the classical Chinese curved-roof buildings to modern designs. In the making of modern Chinese architecture, a number of ideologies arise, along with political makeovers and societal developments, aiming to re-present past glories, to reflect present national achievements, and to reveal the dream of a utopian future. However, real living always comes second to political ideals on how the society should look and what they should head toward. The concern for humanity remains a nominal criterion after politics and economy in most of the construction projects.

This thesis focuses on a two-and-a-half-month journey in northern China. The journey is recorded in the form of a travelogue, which provides the narrative core of the thesis. In addition, the thesis includes academic research on Chinese architecture, embodied in four essays, to investigate its evolution, understand its relationship to the past, acknowledge its current dilemma, and search for the components that make up its identity for the twenty-first century. This thesis aims to give a sense of Chinese architectural development, both in theory and in practice, as well as including a collection of critical remarks on how the authorities manipulate architectural expressions and direct its development. The first two essays deal with urban symbolism in Beijing that the authorities have created to redefine the past and to construct an image of a bright future. Architects are only required to carry out duties, like civil servants, to realize governmental plans. The other two aim to make a contribution to the history of cultural fusion between China and the West, and the evolution of architectural theories that led to the current phenomenon, respectively. The former traces the evolutionary path of Chinese architecture and the latter compiles the concepts of Chinese architecture from the study of Chinese architecture to the realization of the buildings.

My journey begins with an exploration of ancient architecture in the provinces of Shanxi and Hebei, following the footsteps of architectural scholar Liang Sicheng. Liang and his team documented and studied 2,783 ancient buildings across the nation and wrote the first complete history on Chinese architecture. He then attempted to derive the principles of modern Chinese architecture from traditional essences. The Shanxi-Hebei experience enriched my knowledge in traditional Chinese architecture and showed me what had tempted the Chinese architects not to give up their traditions, despite a strong desire to move toward modernization.

My experience in Beijing, on the other hand, provided me the opportunity to understand the dilemma of Chinese architects of the twentieth century as they faced political pressures, economic restrictions, tense construction schedules, collective ideologies, and historical legacies. Their works play a crucial role of linking the contemporary with the traditional past, and unfolding possibilities to develop modern Chinese architecture. The quest for Chinese identity in architecture in the past few generations has imposed a complex layering of the urban structure of the city, which makes the capital a showcase for architectural ideologies of different eras.

In the current rapid "Manhattanization", Beijing has become an experimental ground for foreign futuristic ideas, as well as an open-air museum of imperial and socialist glories. The identity of the city is completely shaped by authorities and developers under a blindfold desire to pursue a global representation of modernization. Local architects receive little chance, time, and freedom to find their own path, make their own architecture, and develop their own profession. Societal criticisms remain scarce and creativity is limited by self-censorship. Yet, like their predecessors in the 1930s and 1950s, contemporary architects do not give up. Many of them still search for new design possibilities within the influences of traditions to innovations, and from local philosophies to Western ideologies. Although the pace of construction remains unbelievably fast in China, the development of local architecture struggles to find ways to evolve and express its societal significance. The maturity of the architectural profession remains an aspect that is unachievable through overnight transformations and one-time planning.

In China, huge population and limited arable land resources constitute one of the basic contradictions in urban mass housing design. As a stereotype, medium-rise apartment buildings were constructed to attain high densities all over the country during the 1980s. The extensive use of the housing typologies caused problems in many aspects. This reflects the poverty of architectural solutions and the consequences of the socio-economic systems of the country.
Focusing on the aspects of single building design and site planning, this thesis analyses the methods to reach high building densities in medium-rise mass housing design in Beijing from 1979 to 1990. The study is conducted through the review of the socio-economic issues and the introduction of mass housing design of the country. It intends to see the interrelationships between ways to attain high building densities and the socio-economic backgrounds.
The research indicates that methods to reach high building densities are many. Ways used in Beijing during 1980s were based on the socio-economic system at the time being. These ways are not appropriate in terms of the unique urban context of the city and could be thus replaced by others.

In China, a standard of "relatively comfortable housing conditions" is set for the nation, but there is still a need for a parallel goal for outdoor spaces. So far, this issue has not received adequate attention from either the government or practitioners.
The purpose of this study is to examine the space between buildings in Beijing's new housing developments. The space between buildings has been chosen as a starting point for this research because it covers largest amount of land and due to its close proximity to homes, it is closely related to people's daily lives.
The quality of outdoor space is defined by a combination of factors. This study uses eight criteria to address the notion of quality: spatial hierarchy; usable space; safety and defense; health and comfort; privacy and territoriality; social contact; aesthetic appeal; and maintenance and administration. These correlated aspects are set as evaluation criteria for the six case studies included in this research. Data and analysis of case studies is used to arrive at conclusions for policy-making and further study.

Beijing is the most important and dynamic city in China. A vital ingredient in that success has been its historic environment- its imperial palaces, its temples, its siheyuans, its hutongs- which provides the texture of the Old Beijing city. The historic environment is key to Beijing’s prosperity and a social asset of value. Nearly all the most prosperous and desirable areas in Beijing, the places where people most want to live, work and visit, are those where the historic environment is a dominant influence. The article, “World Heritage Areas: A Critical Analysis”, written by Peter Neville, Hadley in National Post Canada says: UNESCO's World Heritage List is intended to help preserve historic sites, but in China, inclusion on the list can be the kiss of death. The major "carrot" of heritage designation is the increased levels of tourism its prestige generates. Apparently, not only the designated heritage sites, but all the heritages are faced with the fate of being destroyed by tourism and development. Old buildings and lanes in Beijing never stop drawing visitors. The city, even the whole country is now proud of prosperous tourism which is always associated with ‘economic flourishing’. Virtually, every introduction tourism text contains at least one chapter discussing the social, cultural, and environmental impacts of tourism. This topic has also been the subject of extensive investigation in the academic literature. However, in regions that are undergoing rapid development and where an ethos of conservation has not been established, often surprising ignorance of the negative consequences of tourism exists. In China, the attitude is still that the benefits of economic development outweigh any adverse costs such development may have. However, such an attitude is now seen as being shortsighted. As a result, a more balanced approach to tourism is advocated, acknowledging both its beneficial and detrimental effects on host communities and their cultures. Conservation is about ensuring that we make the best use of our historic environment. It is a tool for managing change. Some still believe that conservation is simple about preserving the fabric of old buildings unchanged and developing the economic potential of tourism. They failed to see that conservation is an overarching work, the opposite of a wasteful society. It is easy to destroy - and today we have the tools, the money and the technology - but difficult to create. Cultural heritage, areas, landscapes and communities are a finite resource. Once lost they are lost forever. The purpose of conservation is to ensure that destruction is kept to a minimum while allowing creativity and innovation to flourish. We should preserve the town of the past for the man of the future.
published_or_final_version
Conservation
Master
Master of Science in Conservation

Notre recherche interroge la portée de la nouvelle politique environnementale de la capitale chinoise, dont la mise en oeuvre a été précipitée dans le cadre de l'accueil des Jeux Olympiques.Si la trame urbaine de Pékin était encore il y a peu l'un des derniers héritages des préceptes traditionnels d'aménagement de l'espace chinois entre "montagne et eau" et se référant au "souffle - qi", qui anime toute chose et tout être dans la cosmogonie chinoise et qui est à la base de l'implantation de la ville sur son site, les politiques urbaines menées au cours du XXe siècle ont détruit en grande partie cet héritage.La prise de conscience environnementale amorcée dans les années 90 a généré une nouvelle approche au territoire qui s'est accélérée en 2001 dans l'optique de l'accueil des green Olympic Games en 2008. La reforestation de la capitale chinoise a alors été considérée à toutes les échelles, de celle du pays à celle de la rue.A l'échelle de son territoire périurbain, Pékin s'est dotée de deux ceintures vertes. Pour autant, le gouvernement municipal a choisi la voie de l'originalité en planifiant des "ceintures vertes habitées", à 50%pour la première et à 30% pour la seconde. A l'échelle de sa zone urbaine, la municipalité a mis en place de nouvelles promenades paysagères qui s'étirent le long des routes et des canaux et qui font apparaitre une nouvelle typologie d'espaces publics qui trouve son origine dans la réhabilitation de l'axe historique nord-sud et qui a permis outre la réhabilitation de l'histoire ancienne, celle de la réhabilitation du paysage ancien.Des ceintures vertes aux coulées vertes, la qualité de vie est sans nul doute améliorée à Pékin. Ce souffle vert est-il pour autant porteur d'une nouvelle identité urbaine? Attendons encore pour voir. Pékin 2050.Alors ce souffle vert?

Shek Wai Ling, Sophy.
"Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 2010-2011, design report."
Chapter 00 --- Thesis Statement
Chapter 01 --- Background Study
Chapter 02 --- Site Analysis
Chapter 03 --- Underground Space
Chapter 04 --- Design Strategy & Development

Office is a blooming building type in rapidly developing China. Most of the current Chinese office layouts and work patterns are following the mode from western countries and cities are now becoming the same as any big city in the world. Beijing is the capital city of China keeping unique Chinese culture for thousands of years. It is time for thinking more about preserving regional characters rather than pursuing for the international style. Design can get inspirations from traditional buildings – the right scale, the courtyard space combination, the typical materials application and so on. Thus, for the future office design of Beijing, preserving its own characters and creating an environment fitting for its own culture and people is the keystone. Based on those research and analysis about Chinese office development history, culture background, current office layouts and so on, I provide a prototype – a novel office layout that can respond to emerging work pattern requirements and Chinese culture-work relationship. Then apply the prototype into a specific site to complete a test based on the real scenario.
text

Yu Kai Cheong, Andrew.
"Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 2008-2009, design report."
Includes bibliogrpahical references.
Research
Chapter 1.0 --- Thesis Statement
Chapter 1.1 --- Thesis Questions
Chapter 1.2 --- Abstract (Issue
Chapter 1.3 --- Proposition
Chapter 2.0 --- Meaning and Formation of Landscape
Chapter 2.1 --- Landscape Scale Comparison
Chapter 2.2 --- Theory . Classical
Chapter 2.3 --- Critiques on Theory of Landscape
Chapter 3.0 --- Notion of Sustainable City
Chapter 3.1 --- Green Thinking ´Ø Nature Imitation vs Green Ideology
Chapter 3.2 --- Theory on Sustainability
Chapter 3.3 --- Sustainability Issues in Beijing Context
Chapter 3.4 --- "Reference Cases . Beijing, China
Chapter 4.0 --- Beijing Evolution Conditions
Chapter 4.1 --- Social Issues: Urban Planning and Society
Chapter 4.2 --- Landscape Issues: Natural Resources and Green System Planning
Chapter 4.3 --- Architecture Issues: Built-Form and Life Pattern
Chapter 4.4 --- Human Issues: Human and Nature
Chapter 5.0 --- Beijing Landscapes Study
Chapter 5.1 --- City. Network
Chapter 5.2 --- District. Park
Chapter 5.3 --- Unit .Traditional Courtyard House
Chapter 6.0 --- Beijing Analysis
Chapter 6.1 --- Contextual Study. Beijing Green Code
Chapter 6.2 --- Study on Asian Games Site
Chapter 7.0 --- Artificial Landscape Discipline .Vocabulary and Methodology
Chapter 7.1 --- Vocabulary & Design Technique - Modeling Explorations
Chapter 8.0 --- Density and Program Implications
Chapter 8.1 --- Plot Ratio Comparison
Chapter 8.2 --- Proposed Scenario
Chapter 9.0 --- Site Experimentation
Chapter 9.1 --- Site Existing Conditon Study
Chapter 9.2 --- Strategic Responses
Design
Chapter 1.0 --- Proposition
Chapter 1.1 --- Proposition
Chapter 1.2 --- Olympic / Post-Olympic Condition
Chapter 1.3 --- Asian Games Site in Different Periods
Chapter 2.0 --- Density / Infrastructure / Cultural Campus
Chapter 2.1 --- Characteristics of Beijing City
Chapter 2.2 --- Density Issues . Comparison & Implication
Chapter 2.3 --- Infrastructure & City
Chapter 2.4 --- Idea of Campus . Idea of Culture
Chapter 3.0 --- Idea of Beijing City
Chapter 3.1 --- Strategic Positioning / Reasoning
Chapter 3.2 --- Multi-Scalar / Nested Set of Reading onYin-Yang
Chapter 3.3 --- Overlaying Ideas of Beijing City
Chapter 3.4 --- Site Conditon / Intentional Condition
Chapter 4.0 --- Site Development
Chapter 4.1 --- Photographic Inspiration
Chapter 4.2 --- Site Development Strategy / Growth Scenario
Chapter 4.3 --- Comparison & Simulation on Relative Density and Scale of Fabric
Chapter 4.4 --- Internal Organization of Asian Games Site
Chapter 4.5 --- Design Process Composite
Chapter 4.6 --- Artificial Landscape Modeling Explorations as Design Technique
Chapter 5.0 --- Design Implementation
Chapter 5.1 --- Master Plan of Cultural Campus on Asian Games Site
Chapter 5.2 --- Architectural Organization
Chapter 5.3 --- Design Development
Chapter 5.4 --- Idea of a Place
Chapter 6.0 --- Bibliography
Appendix

ABSTRACT Why do we design architecture? How we design it? Why do we design architecture in this way, not in that way? What‘s the most important characteristic for architecture? How we can identity if architecture has realized all ideas we proposed before? With these questions, with the help from kind professors, I found one interesting place - Cao changdi, Beijing, China. Luckily, I found one interesting street and noticed there are some problems here. I needed to figure out what exactly are the problems and try to solve the problems with architecture. I found that relations and connections are missing at this street. They are supposed to be there, but they are invisible. Why not make them visible? I tried to direct this design based on the user’s stories or experiences. My approach was to visualize peoples’ experience in a new architecture through story boards, or ‘frame’ of applying the film director’s skills and design minds to approach architecture. Let peoples’ experience in an architecture become a movie. Applying the film director’s skills and minds to the design of architecture. Space plays an important role in architecture design. What happened in that space is what is important. Of course, stories would happen in that space. Then what’s the story? My thesis project would illustrate how three stories - visitor, villager and artist‘s experience help to direct the design.

China has become one of the world’s economic engines. One major driving force is the rapid urbanization. Such fast development results in resource and energy depletion, pollution and environmental deterioration. The government has recently endorsed green buildings and urged ministries to work out a national action plan. It is predicted that green building will be the next big thing in China. But before importing any foreign green technology and green designs, is there something to be learned from the Chinese ancestors? In the long history of China, the Chinese have always employed a system of construction with the influences of geography, climate, culture, philosophy, economy and politics deeply rooted in China, making the Chinese traditional architecture distinct. Embedded in the formation of the city, siheyuan 四合院, the courtyard house in Beijing was one exceptional dwelling example that inherited the quintessence of the thousand years of building experiences and knowledge of the ancestors. This traditional urban type not only celebrated the rich and unique cultural heritage of China, it also played an important role in maximizing the natural forces to create a pleasant and comfortable environment for living. Population growth, political and economic reforms over time however have drastically changed the fate of this historical heritage. Especially under the pressure of the fast development and economic boom after the introduction of the Open Door Policy in 1978, the traditional courtyards were the first to be demolished due to the lack of modern facilities and the inability to accommodate the growing population. They were often replaced by apartment blocks and high-rise towers – imported types based on planning regulations developed in the West, outside the cultural and environmental milieu of Beijing. As a result, the city is now filled with many energy intensive buildings that eat away both the “city’s essence” and the valuable natural resources. With the current policy and ambition of China, the teardown courtyard sites within the old city wall that are still waiting for development offer the potential to address the remediation and reinterpretation of the traditional typology in a contemporary city. The thesis investigates the essences of the traditional courtyard house and explores the way to apply such qualities to the design of a new courtyard typology in contemporary Beijing. The proposal anticipates a holistic approach on both environmental, social, cultural and economic level, so as to carry out preservation that manifests in experience rather than physical restoration, and to create a project that is truly sustainable.