As our cities continue to grow and expand rapidly, there has been an increasing demand for architects and craftsmen to build houses more cost-efficiently under tight deadlines. Modular architecture has been introduced as a concept which involves assembling multiple pre-fabricated modules on site to create a working unit. By joining similar elements together in various ways, modular architecture allows for more flexibilities in design and standardized repair.
Chinese Architecture: The Latest Architecture and News
Why Don’t We Teach Chinese Architecture in the United States?
This article was originally published on Common Edge as "Why Don’t We Teach Chinese Architecture?"
How many U.S. architecture professors know that there is a Chinese treatise equivalent to Vitruvius’ Ten Books of Architecture? Very few, I suspect. I taught architectural history for more than 20 years before I discovered the marvelous Yingsao Fashi, a Song Dynasty book by a prominent court official who, as far as we know, was not an architect or builder. In fact, prior to the Ming Dynasty no prominent temple, palace, or shrine in China was designed by an architect because the concept of a single mastermind in charge of a building project was foreign to the East Asian way of designing environments of any kind.
Micro Living in China: Tiny Houses as an Innovative Design Solution
According to the United Nation’s “The World’s Cities in 2018”, it is estimated that, “by 2030, urban areas are projected to house 60 percent of people globally and one in every three people will live in cities with at least half a million inhabitants.” Also, between 2018 and 2030, it is estimated that the number of cities with 500,000 inhabitants or more is expected to grow by 23 percent in Asia. China, as the largest economy in Asia, with a GDP (PPP) of $25.27 trillion, is expanding rapidly, both economically and demographically.
With more and more migrant workers coming into the bigger cities in China, it has become increasingly difficult for workers to find an affordable place to live. Some people decide to move away from urban centers and bear with the lengthy commute time, while others are seeking creative design solutions to transform their home into a tiny, functional space to meet their daily needs.
Best Modern Examples of Ancient Courtyard Renovations in China
Chinese courtyard houses are one of the most common housing typologies spanning all the way from the northern capital of Beijing to the poetic southern cities Hangzhou and back to the picturesque regions of Yunnan. Typically referred as heyuan, these courtyards homes are simply a “yard enclosed on four sides."
The MaoHaus / AntiStatics Architecture
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Architects: AntiStatics Architecture
- Area: 2000 m²
- Year: 2017
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Manufacturers: Ductal®
Life and Aesthetics Experience in Phoenix Mansion / gad
Nanjing Museum / CCTN Design
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Architects: CCTN Design
- Area: 84500 m²
- Year: 2013
Wang Jing Memorial Hall / DnA
Lijiang Back and Forward Boutique Hotel / NTYPE
Renovation of Xi’an South Gate Plaza / China Northwest Architecture Design and Research Institute
- Area: 69000 m²
- Year: 2014
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Professionals: Beijing Lighting Dream City Cultural Development
Spring Whispers Book Club / FON STUDIO
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Interior Designers: FON STUDIO
- Area: 70 m²
- Year: 2017
Space Renovation of 69 Beishan St. / The Design Institute of Landscape and Architecture China Academy of Art
Beijing ‘Tsuo’ / Wonder Architects
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Architects: Wonder Architects
- Area: 100 m²
- Year: 2017
Tongling Recluse / RSAA/Büro Ziyu Zhuang
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Architects: RSAA/Büro Ziyu Zhuang
- Area: 160 m²
- Year: 2017
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Professionals: Anhui Jiangnan Cultural Tourism Group
Hangzhou Ya Gu Quan Shan Hotel / The Architectural Design and Research Institute of Zhejiang University
10 Young Chinese Architecture Firms To Watch Out For
2016 has been a momentous year for Chinese architecture. From the completion of the Harbin Opera house by MAD to the Aga Khan Awards recognizing Zhang Ke of Standard Architecture for his micro-scale design of the Hutong Children’s Library and Art Centre in Beijing. It seems the general perception of Chinese architecture has finally moved beyond the big, weird and ugly.
Since we’ve started to branch out into China, the ArchDaily China team has been able to discover the rich layers beyond just these rising Chinese stars. As part of the country's large-scale urbanization process, last year, we posted some of the large-scale projects designed by China’s (largely unknown) Design & Research institutions such as train stations and cultural centers.
In addition, we’ve also come across a series of smaller, lesser known, younger practices that focuses more on small-scale experimental work. Here are our top ten favorites: