History of Modern Chinese Architecture – Talking about modern Chinese architecture refers to the period starting somewhere in the middle of the 1800s. This period has witnessed a great evolution of architectural styles. From contemporary techniques to the blending of traditional elements, modern Chinese architecture is worth applauding. Even after 75 years of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, China has and is still facing several instabilities. The architecture such as buildings, temples, domes etc. is evidence of these years. Gradually, Chinese history has been significantly reshaping the architecture, and many notable changes have been developed. Renderspoint brings you an exclusive coverage of Chinese Architecture in the modern era. Let’s get started.
All About Chinese Architecture
How and When it All Started?
The advent of modern architecture in China began after the Opium Wars which were fought somewhere in the 1840s. This was the time when architectural styles started getting blended. The traditional Chinese elements were now mixed with Western architecture. The Chinese architecture that was traditionally followed from the Ming Dynasty (from 1368- 1644) was now slowly getting merged with foreign influence. And over the years, during the time of the Qing dynasty (from 1644-1910), things started to become more prominent. The buildings now still have traditional elements such as wooden columns, open courtyards, sweeping roofs and screens. Also, they had western elements incorporated such as restaurants, stores, hotels etc. Let’s break down modern Chinese architecture into milestones and read further.
- The Influence of Foreign Architecture Started Growing (1840-1920) –During the period of 1840 to 1920, there was a significant impact of European architecture in China. Some of the major treaty ports in the cities of Xiamen, Shanghai and Guangzhou had some amazing buildings that were designed and developed by European architects. Western architectural style became a prominent feature in many foreign consulates, clubs, banks, and other corporate buildings. This was significantly seen in the cities of Harbin, Beijing, Qingdao, Tianjin, and Shanghai.
- The Rise of Communist Architecture (1949 – 1952) – People’s Republic of China (PRC) was established during this period, and this was the time when the architecture was pared down. The government participated in the development of many buildings at this time. Great vitality was shown in the field of architecture with various activities. The architects at that time, though they were less in number, worked on the styles and designs of their own. But the ultimate focus has always been functionality and making things in-line with the national requirements and conditions. With the recovery of the national economy, there was an urgent need for industrial and housing buildings. This was to be addressed on an immediate basis. All this led to the development of utilitarian architecture. The workers’ quarters were built to keep the traditional architecture intact while the offices had the influence of modern architecture. In the early 1950s, there was also a deep impact of the Soviet Union on the architecture of many cities in North China. Here the edifices were centered on grand squares as well as axes.
- The Influence Intensified (1953 – 1958) – After the establishment of the PRC, the first five years held crucial significance. The period from 1953 to 1958 witnessed an amazing and unprecedented growth in Chinese architecture. This five-year planning accelerated the development of architecture with the formation of a team for industrial design and construction. By this time, the ability of the new teams was multiplied due to advancements in technology and other management abilities. People and professionals at that time were awakened to the relationship between economy and functionality. This led to the exploration of new forms of architecture. Architects at this time were also discovering ways to design architecture that synchronized with Chinese culture as well. Some of the major ones include using big roofs, cultural, and local traditions-inspired buildings, and architecture that meet the new functionalities.
- Great Leap Forward and Return of Ancient Period (1959 -1964) – This period is called the “Great Leap Forward” as a lot of emphasis was given to promoting architecture and garnered many major achievements. To commemorate the ten foundation years of the PRC, the Chinese government came out with an exciting project of developing ten monuments. This National Celebration Project led to the development of Ten Grand Buildings which showcased an exceptional level of design and construction at that time. The designs of these Big Ten Buildings were inspired by traditional Chinese architecture, Stalinist architecture and modern Chinese architecture. Some of the buildings include The Museum of Chinese Revolution, the Museum of Chinese History and the Great Hall of People.
- Design and Culture Revolution (1960s- 1980) – In 1964, a mass design revolution movement was kickstarted. The leaders discouraged the use of Soviet-style prefabricated materials. They now promoted using rammed earth on-site construction. This innovative method required little technical skills and proved ingenious to China’s economy. Other materials that became famous in the mid-1970s were brick-infill, reinforced concrete, and other prefabricated materials.
- New Architectural Styles and Exploration (21st century) – After communist architecture rose to significance, China opened up to new styles and designs in architecture. New architectural styles started to develop that combined the traditional and older elements with modern and new ones. This modern era is known as socialist modernization. With the coming of new policies, this building boom resulted in the creation of a new political structure. The new government gave funds to the architects to open up and explore more design areas and bring about innovative possibilities. With the increase in China’s economic development, there was a need for more increased number of hotels, offices, towers, shopping centers and even urban spaces. This was diligently worked along with modern road constructions. Many of the old and traditional structures were demolished just for the sake of urban renewal. All this chaos resulted in the relocation of millions of residents. A huge number of workers flooded the cities of China, further leading to stressing China’s social and ecological balance. This was the time when high-rise buildings, skyscrapers and industrial-style buildings rose to prominence and still continue to be. Urban Chinese residents welcomed this shift towards high-rise buildings and condominiums and started shifting there. This response was way more impressive than imagined. Also, new architectural gated communities were also built on the outskirts of major cities such as Shanghai and Beijing. These communities mimicked German Bauhaus and English villages in the Tudor period. These communities were exclusively designed by renowned European firms such as Albert Speer, Jr. This provided the city dwellers with standalone single-family homes. These homes featured all the amenities you can see in American and Suburban European lifestyles.
Impact of Globalization on Modern Chinese Architecture
With Globalization in full swing, modern architecture in China was developed by blending various cultures. Many famous Chinese buildings today stand as a combination of modernity with traditional architecture. Some of the iconic buildings that are a perfect example of modern architecture in China include the Sichuan Dinosaur Hall, the Jin Mao Building, the National Grand Theater, the Oriental Pearl Tower, the National Stadium and White Swan Hotel at Guangzhou.
Many philanthropists and historians believe that this massive expansion of Chinese architecture and the creation of buildings is not what the nation wanted. It will take a toll on China’s beauty, tradition and even humanity. Some of the critics even criticized the construction of similar glass towers and concrete structures. They believed that this has turned many cities indistinguishable from each other. Not only this, but rapid construction also resulted in an increase in pollution and congestion of space. With the advent of the Summer Olympics in 2008, major steps were taken. Taking experiences from other countries, China now shifted their focus towards going “Green” i.e., by creating energy-efficient and eco-friendly buildings. This drastically helped in controlling air pollution. There were many internationally renowned structures built during this time such as Olympic Green, the National Aquatics Centre (Water Cube), the National Centre for Performing Arts (The Egg) and the CCTV Headquarters.
Bottom Line
The journey of modern Chinese architecture has not been smooth but filled with many difficulties. But, over the course of time it has now evolved a lot by exploring new design ideas and styles from across the globe. Chinese architects and designers are all head-bent on delivering amazingly designed buildings to the nation. And, 3D rendering, helps them to visualize their vision and expedite their work. Renderspoint stands deeply inspired by modern Chinese architecture. For more such stories, keep coming back to us!