In my country and in Japan .TEA HOUSE took an important role in our daily life.This is a design for a university in Heifei,China.But I make the model with 3DMAX.I doublt if I can put it here.any questions is OK.Thank you. I use Chinese philosophy .SUch as 天圆地方（tian yuan di fang) and Chinese grove.

more

Left

right

front

from top view

The last pic

(tian yuan di fang)

This concept is used in many cultures. (Literally means the Sky/Heaven/Celestrial/Cosmic order is Round and the Land/Earth/Terrestrial/Humankind order is Square or Rectalinear)

The square and the circle is common in usage in most cultures (from Indian Buddhist stupa to early Christian Byzantium Churches) except the reverse meaning is used in Islam where the Square represents Allah (like the Kaaba (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaaba) at Mecca) and people are concentric circles around it.

This concept is used in many cultures. (Literally means the Sky/Heaven/Celestrial/Cosmic order is Round and the Land/Earth/Terrestrial/Humankind order is Square or Rectalinear)

accurately.
And I am taking a course of THE HISTORY OF CHINESE ARCHITECTURE.It contains a lot Chinese aesthetics .

Really interesting. I didn't know anything about that. Helulu. The project looks good, but some plans and anything else you have would help us a lot to understand.
By the way projects posted here don't need to be done in sketchup so it's good.

Really interesting. I didn't know anything about that. Helulu. The project looks good, but some plans and anything else you have would help us a lot to understand.
By the way projects posted here don't need to be done in sketchup so it's good.
Thank you.
I'll try to get my sketch back .I gave it to my teacher. :bang head

Interesting idea. But I agree with cacapis, some plans, sections, and site data would help a lot to further comment on the specifics of the project.

Thanks to Swank-E for the clear additive explanation.

Where I work and where I live, we constantly debate about the use of Chinese aesthetics/philosophy in modern architecture. This is just my own view, but I think architecture or the idea of the architect who designs and not just builds the building is a very recent phenomenon in Chinese culture, where as philosophy has been something central to the Chinese people for a very long time (Lao Tzu, Confucius, etc) I think the main problem faced by many Chinese architects is how to translate abstract ideas/philosophy (which I think is the essence of Chinese culture) into designs that do not resort to purely formalistic representation of philosophical ideas, or ancient details/building methods.

Sorry about babbling about this, but it is an issue that I have been concerned with for quite some time with no answers, I would love to hear from everyone else on what they think.

Coming back to this particular project (again, sorry about the long deviation) The idea of round sky, square earth, to me is not limited to circular and square forms. Why would round sky be a circular wall? Why not glass or any other material? If the idea of round sky and square earth is used then it is not just an aesthetical choice, it probably has a meaning. The round sky concept in Chinese culture also means without limit, without end, infinity how do you represent that? (Contrary to the boundary, and limit of human existence, represented in the square earth) My point is I think there is a difference when round sky, square earth is used as an idea generator or a formalistic approach.

These comments are not aimed particularly at your work, Helulu, they are also questions I pose for myself and anyone else that is interested, so please do not be offended. I am merely trying to extend the discussion.

For those of you that are interested, the firm that I work for now has done many, many (maybe too many) “Oriental Style” buildings, which is part of the reason that made me concern with this issue. I do not have an issue with attempting to design with oriental cultures/philosophy in mind (I think design should always have something to do about the people/location/culture/history), but the pop-ish representational approach of our firm does make me question (I hope my boss doesn’t read this, :eek: )

See attachment for example. Building on the left also uses round sky, square earth as form generator, building on right is the Taipei 101, which has alot of decorative oriental elements. (both projects were completed before I entered the firm.)

:clap: Interesting idea. But I agree with cacapis, some plans, sections, and site data would help a lot to further comment on the specifics of the project.

Thanks to Swank-E for the clear additive explanation.

Where I work and where I live, we constantly debate about the use of Chinese aesthetics/philosophy in modern architecture. This is just my own view, but I think architecture or the idea of the architect who designs and not just builds the building is a very recent phenomenon in Chinese culture, where as philosophy has been something central to the Chinese people for a very long time (Lao Tzu, Confucius, etc) I think the main problem faced by many Chinese architects is how to translate abstract ideas/philosophy (which I think is the essence of Chinese culture) into designs that do not resort to purely formalistic representation of philosophical ideas, or ancient details/building methods.

Sorry about babbling about this, but it is an issue that I have been concerned with for quite some time with no answers, I would love to hear from everyone else on what they think.

Coming back to this particular project (again, sorry about the long deviation) The idea of round sky, square earth, to me is not limited to circular and square forms. Why would round sky be a circular wall? Why not glass or any other material? If the idea of round sky and square earth is used then it is not just an aesthetical choice, it probably has a meaning. The round sky concept in Chinese culture also means without limit, without end, infinity how do you represent that? (Contrary to the boundary, and limit of human existence, represented in the square earth) My point is I think there is a difference when round sky, square earth is used as an idea generator or a formalistic approach.

These comments are not aimed particularly at your work, Helulu, they are also questions I pose for myself and anyone else that is interested, so please do not be offended. I am merely trying to extend the discussion.

For those of you that are interested, the firm that I work for now has done many, many (maybe too many) “Oriental Style” buildings, which is part of the reason that made me concern with this issue. I do not have an issue with attempting to design with oriental cultures/philosophy in mind (I think design should always have something to do about the people/location/culture/history), but the pop-ish representational approach of our firm does make me question (I hope my boss doesn’t read this, :eek: )

See attachment for example. Building on the left also uses round sky, square earth as form generator, building on right is the Taipei 101, which has alot of decorative oriental elements. (both projects were completed before I entered the firm.)

After reading your reply.I learn a lot from you.AND I know What you mean.What you say is just hitting the point.Thank you VERY MUCH for your reply.I summarize it below.
1.In chinese history there is something never change.we call it essence (精神）
2.translate abstract ideas/philosophy into designs.Don't be a formalist (I think if it can be seen as a 'symbol' and a kind of POST-MODERN)
3.Round sky, square earth has a further meaning-without limit, without end, infinity.(I entirety agree with you)Infact when I get closer to chinese culture I became even confused.Wish you can find a way of we chinese architechture.Then don't forget to tell me your new project.Finally,wish you success !

I agree that the literal use of a circle and square to generate a form totally misses the philosophy behind it. I find it just as shallow as US postmodernism with crude references to the sublime classical tradition of western architecture. Below is comparison to building designed by Michael Graves.

I do like the "Oriental style" tower. You would not find a design like that anywhere else in the world. It concerns me that international commerce and practice of architecture is beginning to make all places in the world look the same. :(

I do like the "Oriental style" tower. You would not find a design like that anywhere else in the world. It concerns me that international commerce and practice of architecture is beginning to make all places in the world look the same. :(
en...

ok

apart from the fact that it resembles Tadao Ando's work in the late 80s and early 90s, and the supposed connection with the 'round sky square earth' in the plan, there really isn't much (at least that we can see anyway).

to me, it seems the design does not address the real concerns of tea drinking or tea culture. tea historically has been a drink for the educated scholar, and educated scholars have a yearning for the beauty of nature. tea drinking is a way to connect to nature despite being in a busy lifestyle and in the cities. tea is appreciated much like wine in the west, where the idea of 'terroir' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terroir) can be experienced by simply drinking the tea of that area.

traditionally, chinese architecture has a strong influence from confucism for the formal, hierarchical nature of the layout, reflecting the social order of the chinese culture. the chinese gardens on the other hand were influenced by the free yet balanced qualities of taoism, a reflection of the nature.

your design is very controlled and order, yet at the same time it seems not to have any meaning (for example the layout is no in the centre of the circle), and with no real conscious connection with the landscape it sits in or any views it might have (or landscape created internally).

it is worth taking a look at chinese garden design principles, of which the book 'YuanYe' <園冶> by 計成 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ji_Cheng) is a good source. there is an good english translation called 'The Craft of Gardens [Yuan ye]', translated by Alison Hardie, with a foreward by Maggie Keswick (Charles Jencks' late wife). the book talks about the important of site, views and the quality of the experience and mood created by the weather rather than an obsession with any 'rules'. a very different approach (especially of the time) for chinese way of doing things.

Being portuguese i can´t really say that i fully understand the chinese concepts that you tried to implement. But i can talk about what comes in to my mind when i think of a oriental tea house.
Balance. Peace. Simplicity. Harmony.
It's the case were everything is in the right place because there aren´t other natural places for things to be.
When i look at your project i can´t see that. I see that there are in fact some strong concepts that you clinged to, but it lacks that harmony and peace that i was talking about.

Nice presentation & project. As cacapis told : some plans are welcome.

Regards.


Francesco

PeterE: I do like the "Oriental style" tower. You would not find a design like that anywhere else in the world. It concerns me that international commerce and practice of architecture is beginning to make all places in the world look the same.

Yes, I think often it is easier for many architects to copy what is "in" right now in the international scene. It is always harder to take into account regional issues (climate, light, cultrure, tradition...) because it requires a deep understanding of the place and people.

SWANK-E: your design is very controlled and order, yet at the same time it seems not to have any meaning (for example the layout is no in the centre of the circle), and with no real conscious connection with the landscape it sits in or any views it might have (or landscape created internally).

I think that is a good point. Just like the Su zou gardens often use the framing technique to direct your vision. The built structures become meaningful not just decorative. I think expressing the meaning/essence of Chinese culture to you is much more important then expressing purely in form.
Though something much harder to do and challenging.

This might be off topic, but I am not too familiar with current Chinese architects, can anyone recommend any architect whos work you think successfully expresses Chinese philosophy/cultrue/tradition?

This might be off topic, but I am not too familiar with current Chinese architects, can anyone recommend any architect whos work you think successfully expresses Chinese philosophy/cultrue/tradition?

I don't know about successful expressions of Chinese philosophy/culture/tradition, but I find the work of Yung Ho-Chang (http://int.kateigaho.com/mar04/architect-chang.html) of FCJZ (fei cang jian zhu) (http://www.fcjz.com) pretty interesting.

by the way, Yung Ho-Chang has been appointed Chair of the School of Architecture at MIT

http://construction.com/NewsCenter/Headlines/AR/20050308r.asp

speaking of Yung Ho-Chang, I should post another project (probably the one i liked most) from the Commune By The Great Wall by him.... soon

Thank you for giving much attention to this Hypothetical Projects .and give me (a university student) a lot of useful advice.alsheus ,PeterE ,SWANK-E ,and GinSoakedBoy (do I forget some one?).
I MUST to go for lunch,because the mess hall only open for about an hour.
I 'll be back to explain the key which you are concerned.I really want to talk to your guys.
I am soorry for cannot giving the site's information because It's lost (a piece of paper).THE SITE indeed has a beautiful scenery.fortunately.My class mates has taken photos of my working results.Now I 'll go for the PICS and my lunch.

BACK.
First give some inner view pictures to show my opinions
I want to abstract a kind of Chinese dood 'men'（门） or Japanese torii to give a intergradation.（forgive me for the ugly render because I didn't use MAX well then)

Then comes to the 2th pic.I want to add some curvaceous things to the hall

the 3rd .For this I want to get a form of chinese kiosk（亭）.but the final effect doesn's satisfacts me hundred-percent.

The last of my MAX pics,THEN I 'll post my result paper.
This time I want to give the connect a concpt of 'bridge'.

The photo is takeb by my classmate (For some reason it doesn't seem clear)

......actually she can't use my DC well :bang head

once more...

I have to take the course this afternoon.So I must go.The course is just The History of Chinese Architeture.

This concept is used in many cultures. (Literally means the Sky/Heaven/Celestrial/Cosmic order is Round and the Land/Earth/Terrestrial/Humankind order is Square or Rectalinear)

The square and the circle is common in usage in most cultures (from Indian Buddhist stupa to early Christian Byzantium Churches) except the reverse meaning is used in Islam where the Square represents Allah (like the Kaaba (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaaba) at Mecca) and people are concentric circles around it.

i just have a quotation SWANK-E..the Kaaba doesnt represent Allah as u say...i mean pillgrims do not worship the Kaaba and its stones..the Kaaba represents the direction which u prayat..the Qibla as its called..
maybe its worth to say that the kaaba is exactly at the center of the earth which is also draws attention on how beduins from 1500 years made it to be built there...

i just have a quotation SWANK-E..the Kaaba doesnt represent Allah as u say...i mean pillgrims do not worship the Kaaba and its stones..the Kaaba represents the direction which u prayat..the Qibla as its called..
maybe its worth to say that the kaaba is exactly at the center of the earth which is also draws attention on how beduins from 1500 years made it to be built there...

thanks for the correction :not worth :not worth
nice to see more muslims (though i could be generalizing as there are egyptian christians and of other religions in egypt) in the forum!

i just have a quotation SWANK-E..the Kaaba doesnt represent Allah as u say...i mean pillgrims do not worship the Kaaba and its stones..the Kaaba represents the direction which u prayat..the Qibla as its called..
maybe its worth to say that the kaaba is exactly at the center of the earth which is also draws attention on how beduins from 1500 years made it to be built there...
Yesterday I took a look at your country from Google Earth. An acient country with great culture.Hope you can recommend more of your country's architect and architechture!

:cool: thats a beautiful board, is it computer made or hand drawn? if its computer done how did you do it?

:craqueur:

:cool: thats a beautiful board, is it computer made or hand drawn? if its computer done how did you do it?

:craqueur:
hand drawn
the teacher told us that it must be hand drawn.
But next year we can use computer.LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

congratulations its beautiful, you have a talent there for sure :)

congratulations its beautiful, you have a talent there for sure :)
Thank you .but include my classmate said that it looks like computer made.
It makes me a bit disapointment,you konw...... :bang head

Beautiful boards mate, look very cool!

very interesting discussion also regarding the culture of tea drinking.

Congrats!

helulu

Heisei Tea Ceremony House of Ken Yokogawa Architect & Associates and Terunobu Fujimori's tea houses (http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1462&page=7&pp=10) - for comparison :)

helulu

Heisei Tea Ceremony House of Ken Yokogawa Architect & Associates and Terunobu Fujimori's tea houses (http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1462&page=7&pp=10) - for comparison :)
Thankyou
TINY and Great works
And It's japanese style.

helulu, the presentation boards look great. Please show us some better pictures when you have time, as it is not very readable right now. Would love to see the text as it will probably help explain your project :)

Just read that jparchitectus has posted information on Yung Ho Chang that SWANK-E mentioned http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2244 (here)

and thanks to mseif_99 for the clarification on the Kaaba.

How would the concepts here expresed of chinese culture compare with the tea house and architecture by Terunobu Fujimori?


http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1462 (post 14)

helulu, the presentation boards look great. Please show us some better pictures when you have time, as it is not very readable right now. Would love to see the text as it will probably help explain your project :)

I'LL translate the text in English when I've time.BTW my next design will be kindergarten.Can you give me some adivce?Appreciate

Just read that jparchitectus has posted information on Yung Ho Chang that SWANK-E mentioned http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2244 (here)

and thanks to mseif_99 for the clarification on the Kaaba.
I'm in reading it.All of them are great works.I'll take time to study it.

How would the concepts here expresed of chinese culture compare with the tea house and architecture by Terunobu Fujimori?


http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1462 (post 14)

Yeah.I didn't pay much attention to chinese culture indeed.I pay more in it outter form.It's a shame.Partly because I've got little expirence about the original style of chinese architecture and the custom that native people followed.
I'm sorry for this. :bang head

My question was because he is japanese, how similar are these traditions (if they are at all), etc...
Tradition can be followed, reinterpreted but also ignored or innovated upon.

Yesterday I took a look at your country from Google Earth. An acient country with great culture.Hope you can recommend more of your country's architect and architechture!

well..sad to say that architecture in Egypt here is a mess..maybe i talked about that subject many times in the forum..level of graduates and education generallly is declining day after another..i myself have graduated from one of the most distinguished univerities in Egypt and saw how proffessors dont deserve their positions..and now i have a friend whos is teaching newly there and tells us now what we didnt know thern...the "under" world if i can say...

well..sad to say that architecture in Egypt here is a mess..maybe i talked about that subject many times in the forum..level of graduates and education generallly is declining day after another..i myself have graduated from one of the most distinguished univerities in Egypt and saw how proffessors dont deserve their positions..and now i have a friend whos is teaching newly there and tells us now what we didnt know thern...the "under" world if i can say...
en....so architects in your country don't get much respect,do they?or the education there is in a mess?Don't be so worried.I belive that someone including you are making a good example or at least making efforts to innovate Egyptian achitectures.A better day will come.