The beauty of Shanghai's architectures
Shanghai remains the most important city with the greatest influence in the modern architectural history of China. Following the opening up of Shanghai as a commercial port, Western architects as well as Western trained Chinese architects introduced Western architecture to the city. Hence, from the second half of the 19th century up to the early 20th century, these architects built a large number of buildings that were artistically brilliant and functionally effective, and also represented a complete departure from the traditional Chinese architectural system and its concept of architectural space.
In Shanghai, modern buildings with representative architectural styles of almost all historical periods could be found. Architectural styles range from Gothic and Neoclassical to the styles of modern architectural schools of thought, as well as traditional Chinese architecture. As such, Shanghai could be described as a vivid historical account of the architectural styles of the world, including Britain, India, Japan and Islamic nations. Some of these regional styles were featured in the use of decorative patterns, colors and details.
The origins of the development of Shanghai as a metropolis in recent times could be traced to the Bund - itself a microcosm of Shanghai, and hence a symbol of the city's development. The architecture of the Bund has undergone three pivotal phases in history, namely the birth of modern architectural forms during the mid-19th century, the era of great prosperity of the late 19th century and early 20th century, and the flourishing 1920s and 1930s.
About the book
Chinese Architecture Written by Cai Yanxin Published by China Intercontinental Press, Beijing, 2018
Shanghai remains the most important city with the greatest influence in the modern architectural history of China. Following the opening up of Shanghai as a commercial port, Western architects as well as Western trained Chinese architects introduced Western architecture to the city. Hence, from the second half of the 19th century up to the early 20th century, these architects built a large number of buildings that were artistically brilliant and functionally effective, and also represented a complete departure from the traditional Chinese architectural system and its concept of architectural space.
In Shanghai, modern buildings with representative architectural styles of almost all historical periods could be found. Architectural styles range from Gothic and Neoclassical to the styles of modern architectural schools of thought, as well as traditional Chinese architecture. As such, Shanghai could be described as a vivid historical account of the architectural styles of the world, including Britain, India, Japan and Islamic nations. Some of these regional styles were featured in the use of decorative patterns, colors and details.
The origins of the development of Shanghai as a metropolis in recent times could be traced to the Bund - itself a microcosm of Shanghai, and hence a symbol of the city's development. The architecture of the Bund has undergone three pivotal phases in history, namely the birth of modern architectural forms during the mid-19th century, the era of great prosperity of the late 19th century and early 20th century, and the flourishing 1920s and 1930s.
About the book
Chinese Architecture Written by Cai Yanxin Published by China Intercontinental Press, Beijing, 2018
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