A Study On The Design Method Of Yuanmingyuan

Yuanmingyuan is recognized as an imperial palace with extremely high artistic value,cultural value and world influence.However,it was tragically destroyed by Anglo-French invaders in 1860.Currently,although most part of the area has been restored and opened,excavation of building ruins is going on,it is still far from the artistic level it should be.Therefore,based on historical archives,previous studies and in-depth investigation,the paper dissects the planning thoughts,design methods,construction techniques of Yuanmingyuan(only main garden)from the perspective of landscape design.Its purpose is to strengthen the interpretation of value from space to culture and provide basis for future protection and renovation of the ruins.The paper has 9 chapters,and can be concluded into 4 sections:Section 1,preparation work.Chapter 1 reviews the records and study from historical witnesses and scholars at home and abroad,and summarizes their shortcomings and put forward the ideas of this paper.In Chapter 2,an accurate spatial restoration study was carried out on the 10 elements of Yuanmingyuan(including walls,earth mounds,rockery,water systems,vegetation,buildings,squares,bridges,docks,sluices and dams,and roads)in late Xianfeng period of Qing Dynasty;the plan in late Qianlong period is also restored backwards.After that,it redraw the boundary and calculates the total area of 206.7 hm2 and other data.Section 2,planning level.The first half part of Chapter 3 reviews the natural condition before construction and confirms the important inspiration in function,landscape and culture brought by Changchunyuan which was built by the former emperor.The latter part of Chapter 3 makes a comprehensive interpretation on the thought of "imitating the heaven and earth" including 4 aspects:the astrology,the Fengshui idea,the theory of "Nine Prefectures",the Kunlun Myth and mountain of immortals on East China Sea.The vital central axis which dominates the whole palace was discovered and interpreted.From above,we can clearly traces its conception logic during early construction and extension.Section 3,design level.In Chapter 4,based on Yangshifang Archives with square grid,the scale control rules based on the modulus of 10 zhangs are firstly verified and rules such as"nine-five proportion" are found.The first half part of Chapter 5 researches the water flow direction and water control methods of the whole palace.161 bridges and no less than 295 docks are detected and analyzed.These shows the original appearance of a complete and grand water management system built by man.The latter half part of Chapter 5 divided the 149 earth mounds into 3 categories.Based on traditional art theory of "Three Distances"and construction theory,this part restores the real image of earth mounds and design ideas,and judges the authenticity of the Album of Paintings ofForty Scenes of Yuanmingyuan.Chapter 6 and 7 is about cultural ideorealm.Chapter 6 researches no less than 883 plaques and 45 couplets during Xianfeng period,classifies them according to content,period and craft,analyzes the creating steps and literary characteristics.In Chapter 7,according to the connotation,layout,evolution and products,47 scenic areas are divided into 4 categories according to the existence forms of themed ideorealms,and examples are analyzed.In the end,this chapter summarizes 5 expressive means and 5 main characteristics of ideorealm expression,and holds the idea that Yuanmingyuan has materialized the essence of Chinese culture of the past thousands of years.Section 4,comparison in history and conclusion.Since Yuanmingyuan was a landscaped palace,Chapter 8 firstly divides its 8 core areas according to function,then analyzes the characteristics in color,space,material,boundary and other aspects.Next,from location,conception and scale,the comparison between Yuanmingyuan and the imperial palaces in previous Chinese history and other contemporaneous imperial gardens of Qing Dynasty was made.This chapter puts forward the uniqueness and causes of the "palaces in the garden" layout style of Yuanmingyuan.Last,Chapter 9 is conclusion and prospect.