Henry K. Murphy's Architectural Activities In Modern China

Henry.K.Murphy, being a foreign architecture, stands a significant place in Chinese morden architecture history. The strength of his profession in combination of Chinese traditional style with western modern science technology serves an assist to his design of high quality, among which missionary schools are most representative.With an attempt to document Mr. Murphy's legaces, the author assembled and arranged the relevant theory material. The integration of his construction activity, present research result and evaluation of his achievement serves the aim of discussion of the influence he imposed on modern nation instruction.This essay is constructed with four components:The first component is his missionary campus planning and architectural design. After the YiHo Tuan Movement, the missionary schools developed into a new phase, experiencing Chinese traditional element on new constructed buildings. Soon after, the"traditional revival"turns into a new construction style with the companion of the"localization"of the school. Being the reprehensive, Murphy summarizes this style as"Adaptive Architecture"in his practice, which receives widely reorganization. The next considerable part of his achievement is the non-missionary schools, with fore type as Tsinghua campus project. This work employs a typical Western technique, underling the American campus design techniques. And it puts the missionary school practise of "Adaptable Building" in sharp contrast. The third part is the design of a series branch of International Banking Corporation in China. Murphy tried to implement the eclectic style, with reference to the fa?ade of its United States headquarters, leading to the design of a series of important works during the climax period of bank architecture. The last part is the urban planning work. After 1927, under the invitation of the National Government of Nanjing, he participated in the planning of Guangzhou city, as well as the"capital plan" setting in Nanjing.The outstanding professional quality of Murphy and the historic opportunity are two undeniable elements that guarantee his important role in Chinese modern architect history. Trained as a commercial architect, he is eligible of the perfect interpretation of various requirements of different styles that the customers are searching for, as well as the focus on improving his own business status and prestige; being firm operator, he has a long-term vision of development and decision-making. And those advantages have become key factors in his success.It is due to Murphy's professional quality that his "Adaptive Architecture" being one source and reference on posterity who are pursuing the"triditional architecture". The"first generation"architects, such as Lu Yanzhi, Dong Dayou, Fan wenzhao and Zhao shen are affected by his theory, who in turn reflects their architectural design and concept.