Traditional vs. Modern Architecture in China

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Question: Traditional culture in architecture is being eroded by modernity of the present architecture in China. Analyze the causes and effects of this problem and possible solutions. In China, urbanization is at dramatic pace but in static patterns. This leads to the Chinese cities losing their own styles, and being built in the static architecture modes which are introduced from developed countries. Moreover, the traditional architecture cultures are being eroded by the static modern architecture patterns. Some of them are even on the boundary of extinction. Recently, architects in China have shown an increasing interest in the issue of traditional architecture in the modern era. This paper studies on the causes and effects of the erosion of the modernity to the traditional architecture and the possible solutions. It will be divided into three parts: the first part focuses on the causes and effects; the second part presents the combination of modern architecture and traditional culture; the third part concerns the cultivation enhancement of Chinese architects. In the process of development of human society, architecture and culture are inseparable. Cuthbert (1985) indicates that architecture, with its unique art form, expresses the level of human culture in different historical stages, as well as the yearning towards the future. According to his article, it can be said that architecture has become one of the physical means for human to change the world and to conquer the nature. Consequently, architecture has been an important component of human civilization. Since 1980s when China started the opening and reforming policy, a variety of architectural ideas, schools and styles have sprung up. Accompanying with a momentum of... ... middle of paper ... ...mselves into the buildings to really experience the space, material, lighting and colors, and then cerebrate laboriously and practice repeatedly to find the answer. In conclusion, traditional culture in architecture is being eroded by modernity of the present architecture in China. The combination of the tradition architecture and contemporary architecture can effectively release the conflicts between them, and this can be achieved by two approaches: one is the employment of the traditional symbols; the other is the application of the traditional materials in modern architecture. In addition, the Chinese architects should raise their personal cultivation to really understand the dramatic charm of Chinese traditional architecture. With these approaches, the conflicts between traditional architecture and contemporary architecture will be released to a real extent.

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