In 2019, Tsinghua University held an exhibition entitled "Guicheng - The First Generation of Chinese Architects Graduated from Pennsylvania", which showed the learning and life experiences of more than 20 Chinese students studying at the University of Pennsylvania at the beginning of the last century, as well as their outstanding contributions in the field of architecture.
University of Pennsylvania
As we all know, China is an ancient civilization with five thousand years. Some people will ask why Chinese architecture and skills are no less than those of the West, so why should they learn from the West. Those who have read architecture should find that the architecture major of Chinese universities has a subject called architectural history, and the history of architecture is divided into three books: the history of Chinese architecture, the history of foreign ancient architecture, and the history of foreign modern and modern architecture.
Those who have the heart will find that there is only one history of Chinese architecture, while foreign architectural history has two books. The vast majority of Chinese architectural history is devoted to the development of ancient Chinese architecture and various aspects of artistic achievements, with very few sections involving modern times, and many of them are built by foreign architects.
Architectural history books
At the beginning of the last century, at the end of China's feudal dynasty, China's historical process took a big step forward, China's traditional architectural forms, architectural styles and modern urban construction formed a prominent contradiction, and ancient Chinese buildings are mostly wooden structures, can not be built as large and tall as reinforced concrete, and more suitable for modern office and life. A group of young people in China, who cherish the lofty ideal of building the motherland, have gone to the ocean and studied in the United States, including Liang Sicheng, Lin Huiyin, Tong Liao, Yang Tingbao, Chen Zhi, and Fan Wenzhao.
Liang Sicheng
Liang Sicheng (April 20, 1901 – January 9, 1972), a native of Xinhui, Guangdong Province, devoted his life to the research and preservation of ancient Chinese architecture, was an architectural historian, architectural educator and architect, and is known as the father of modern Chinese architecture.
In 1928, Liang Sicheng returned to China and was invited by Northeastern University to Shenyang to establish China's first architecture department.
In 1946, Liang Sicheng returned to his alma mater, Tsinghua University, and founded the Department of Architecture.
Monument to the People's Heroes
Architectural Design Achievement Chart
Lin Huiyin (June 10, 1904 – April 1, 1955) was a famous Chinese architect and writer, and the first female architect in China. After liberation, Lin Huiyin made contributions to the design of the national emblem of the People's Republic of China, the design of the Monument to the People's Heroes and the innovation of cloisonné craftsmanship. 与其丈夫梁思成一起测绘大量古建筑，编纂中国古建筑建筑图集文献。
Tong Liao (1900-1983), male, Manchu, Zi Boqian, is recognized as one of the "Four Masters of Chinese Architecture", for decades of uninterrupted research on the history of modern and contemporary architecture in the East and west, has made significant contributions to inheriting and carrying forward China's architectural culture and drawing on Western architectural theory and technology.
Representative works: Nanjing National Government Foreign Ministry Office Building and Official Residence, Chongqing Copper Smelting Plant, Guiyang Huaxi Middle School, in 1937, completed the book "Jiangnan Garden Chronicle", which is the earliest monograph in modern times to discuss the theory of Chinese gardening with scientific methods.
Nanjing Foreign Ministry Building
Societe Generale
Yang Tingbao (1901.10-1982.12), Zi Renhui, professor of the Department of Architecture of National Central University, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, one of the pioneers of modern and contemporary architectural design in China.
Main achievements: Ziguang Pavilion, Zhengjue Temple King Kong Throne Tower, Biyun Temple Luohan Hall, Beijing-Feng Railway Shenyang Terminus, Tianjin Jitai Building, Tianjin Bank of China Warehouse Shenyang Northeastern University, Northeastern University Library, Northeastern University Grammar Classroom Building, Nanjing Jinling University Library, Beijing Wangfujing Department Store, etc.
Beijing Wangfujing Department Store
Library of Jinling University in Nanjing
The architects of the previous generation not only brought modern architectural concepts to China, which had just come out of feudal society, but also revised and summarized the brilliant achievements of Chinese architecture. Integrate the Integration, the combination of East and West, and explore a suitable Chinese architectural style. It has made outstanding contributions to China's modernization process.