Study On Liang Sicheng’s Academic Practice (1928-1955)

Liang Sicheng is one of the most well-known architects in modern China. His academic practice covers many fields, ranging from architectural history research, historic building conservation, architectural design, architectural education, urban planning to art history research. His fruitful achievements make him a great master.In the1930s, with the Institute for Research in Chinese Architecture as platform, Liang Sicheng devoted himself to academic practice. His pioneering survey and study of ancient buildings helped him gradually clarify the development of ancient Chinese architecture, and his research results won wide acclaim from domestic and foreign academic circles.Before and after the founding of People’s Republic of China (PRC), Liang Sicheng took an active part in the establishment of the new regime. His work included:compiling Brief Index of Ancient Architectural Monuments throughout China, approving the plan of national anthem and national flag, and organizing the design of national emblem. These activities not only gave full play to his knowledge and ability, but also helped him win the trust of the new regime. In the1950s, Liang actively participated in national construction. He showed highly social responsibility and foresight of a scholar in the fields of urban planning of Beijing, historic building conservation, and national form of architecture exploration. He made efforts to construct a model of old Beijing city protection and future development with "Liang-Chen Project" as its core. However, his view was not accepted by the new regime. His academic thoughts were questioned and criticized, and his academic practice encountered repeated setbacks. In constant self-reflection and academic criticism, he lost his academic discourse and his vitality and creativity on academic research as well. After1955, Liang hardly carried out any major creative academic practice.As the founder of the Architecture Department of Northeast University and Tsinghua University, Liang Sicheng is the pioneer of architectural education in modern China. His understanding and reform of architectural education has had a positive effect on the cultivation of Chinese construction professionals.This paper studies the academic practice of Liang Sicheng from1928to1955and focuses on five aspects. One is Liang and the Institute for Research in Chinese Architecture:Liang’s role in the Institute’s transformation from a traditional one to a modern one, the transformation process and its typical practice, the achievements he and the Institute has made on the study of ancient architecture. Two is Liang and higher architectural education in modern China:his early thoughts of architectural education, his reform and practice of his architectural education concept before and after the founding of PRC. Three is Liang and the establishment of the new regime: his choice of the regime, his shift in consciousness of political participation, his approval of the plan of national anthem and national flag, and his design of national emblem and the Monument to the People’s Heroes. Four is Liang and China’s urban planning and historic building conservation:urban planning of Beijing and its historic building conservation. Five is Liang and national form of architecture in the early days of the founding of PRC:his change in architectural concept of "Big Roof".