Research On The Architectural Design Thoughts Of SCUT Architecture Alumni (1920s-1960s)

From 1920 s to 1960 s,SCUT Architecture Alumni designed a number of architectural masterpieces which have had a great impact in China.And they consciously explored the Lingnan architectural design theory in conjunction with the architectural design practice,passing it on from one generation to the next,forming a thought which had rich contents and distinctive characteristics.They have explored a path of architectural design with Lingnan characteristics,and actively promoted the communication and dissemination of Lingnan architecture culture with the outside world,influencing the architectural design practice in contemporary China.Summarizing the architectural design practice and theories,and refining the architectural design thoughts of SCUT Architecture Alumni in this period,have benefits to enrich and deepen Lingnan architectural theory,as well as Chinese architectural design theory,which is of great theoretical and practical significance.The emergence of architectural design thoughts of SCUT Architecture Alumni benefited from the social environment and the opportunity of times.This paper explores the origins of the architectural thinking of SCUT Architecture Alumni in terms of western architectural movements and trends,traditional Chinese and its Lingnan regional culture,and so forth.On this basis,it takes SCUT Architecture Alumni’s Outlook on Architectural Functionalism,Architectural Technicalism and Architectural Environmentalism as three logical supports,from the angles of time and space,in order to reveal the stage and logical characteristics of their architectural design thoughts in 1920s-1960 s,and to systematically outline the thought prospect behind their architectural designs and their expressions.The three major thoughts of architectural design correspond to the three periods in the architectural design process of SCUT Architecture Alumni,that is,from 1920 s to 1940 s,in the 1950 s and in the1960 s.And they present the stage characteristics of emphasizing architectural function,highlighting architectural technology and coordinating architectural environment.The Outlook on Architectural Functionalism is the forerunner of their architectural design thoughts,which laid the theoretical and practical foundation of their outlooks on Architectural Technicalism and Architectural Environmentalism.In order to meet the functional requirements of architecture,they adopted certain technical means and it also met its safety and comfort through it.On this basis,they further harmonised relationship between the architecture and the environment,improving and refining Outlook on Architectural Environmentalism.Together,they constitute their architectural design thoughts at the level of logical characteristics.SCUT Architecture Alumni paid much attention to pragmatism and architectural function and Outlook on Architectural Functionalism was expressed in their grasp of their functional requirements.Through modern architectural theories such as Machine Aesthetic and Five Points of New Architecture,this paper first discusses the basic functional thoughts of architectural space composition,that is,meeting the main functional requirements,setting up subordinate auxiliary rooms,and focusing on the function of traffic connectivity.And then it explains the using function thoughts of architectural function partition from three aspects: keeping the free flow of space,conforming to the practicality of spatial combination,and abiding by modern order rationality.It also discusses the spiritual function thoughts of architectural decoration,that’s to say,imitating the features of retroism,absorbing the architectural forms of East and West,advocating the fusion of decorative techniques and promoting the modern minimalism.By using Gestalt psychology,typology and other research methods,it also explores the symbolic function thought of architectural shape in terms of emphasizing on the visual effect of architectural shape,astringency and symbolic meaning,being full of national patriotic sentiment and realizing the modern aesthetic of its shape.SCUT Architecture Alumni affirmed and valued architectural technology and their pioneering and innovative attitude towards the three aspects of Lingnan tradition,modern technology and subtropical regions reflects their pursuit of safety and comfort.By drawing on the theories of architectural thoughts such as Architecture Aesthetic and Scope of Total Architecture,combined with the anthropological research methods,they have conducted a deep study on the actual architectural technology and its underlying conditions,and expressed Outlook on Architectural Technicalism.The traditional technical thoughts for optimising structure system were expressed in using of a stronger roof truss and a better brick array,trying to reduce traditional structure.The modern technical thoughts for using the space were shown in three aspects:constructing indoor an air-raid shelter,creating a large space joist structure system and highlighting the modern technological rationality.And the regional technical thoughts for climate adaptation were also expressed in three aspects,that is,considering the ventilation and lighting,taking into account the sun protection,and the shading and the thermal insulation as well.This paper explores the harmonious relationship between architecture and environment in the architectural design with Lingnan characteristic,borrowing from the planning and modern architectural theory such as traditional architectural site selection,organic architecture,to name only a few,as well as sociological research methods.The concept of Outlook on Architectural Environmentalism is reflected in four perspectives: the historical environmental thoughts as a cultural heritage of architecture,the social environmental thoughts as a realistic development in South China,the site environmental thoughts of a group of buildings,and the natural environmental thoughts of architecture and ecology in harmony.This paper first presents its historical environmental thoughts by referring to traditional Chinese geomancy,following the Confucian ritual spirit and continuing the regional context of Lingnan.And then it analyzes its social environmental thoughts by respecting the government but discussing together,yielding to the reality and considering the economy,and meeting the future development requirements.And it expresses its site environmental thoughts by clarifying the hypotaxis relationship of the buildings,balancing the massing of individual buildings,organizing the the flow of its system,and arranging suitable outdoor greenery.It also expounds its natural environmental thoughts by taking advantage of topography of Lingnan,combining Lingnan gardens with architecture,and using local materials of Lingnan as well.