Zhang Guying' Mansion

For a true understanding of the Chinese traditional buildings, one needs study them from both the external forms and internal architectural culture. The basic method can also serve the research on the architectural environment of Zhang Guying's Mansion.Zhang Guying's Mansion, an ancient architectural complex built in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, has its unique architectural forms, such as the integral centripetal layout, crisscross lanes and paths, the expansion of the interior space by uncovered skylight, architectural adornment of Ming and Qing Dynasties, etc. So it embodies the traditional Chinese culture, which is extensive as well as profound. What's worth special mentioning is that it reflects the harmony between human and nature as well as the architectural idea of moral principles.The aim to study Zhang Guying's Mansion is to serve better design for city residences and environment in contemporary era. Although great progress has been made in these aspects, there's still much to be improved. What will the study on deep-root cultural connotation of the Zhang Guying's Mansion bring to the designers of today? What will be the enlightenment of its design? Two points are clear: One is the harmony idea between human and nature; the other is the innovation idea of traditional architectural culture.The harmony idea embodies the unique Chinese understandings of nature.As one of the traditional culture essence, it should be remained and developed further. At present, this idea has three points of realistic significance. Firstly, to develop harmonious environment between human and nature ensures the Chinese uniqueness; Secondly, the concrete embodiment of this harmony is environmental protection, "green" and health; Thirdly, "green" , being embodiment of this harmony, is favored in the interior design.It is unavoidable for us to consider preservation and development of the traditional culture when we study the Zhang Guying' s Mansion. Although it is controversial, I think first we need innovation, but it must be based on the through understanding about traditional Chinese culture.Besides the innovation idea drawn from Zhang Guying's Mansion, we think that its design idea has great reference value for contemporary environmental design: simplicity, naturalness and integrity by arranging landscapes set off mutually.So it is necessary for us to possess good humanity quality. I think the humanity education is a very important link in the integral education of environmental artistic design and we should follow the trend and try to merge into the artistic atmosphere the theory of ecological environmental protection. An all-round scientific research also needs to be carried out to support the course construction.