At No. 333 Tongren Road in Shanghai, there is a hidden green bungalow full of mystery. This is not only a building, but also a carrier of a legend. The Green House has always attracted the attention of countless explorers with its unique appearance and profound historical background. But what is the story behind this building, which is known as the "No. 1 mansion in the Far East"?
As night falls, the moonlight shines through the curved glass windows imported from Japan in the green house, and sprinkles on the furniture full of traces of time. These objects quietly speak of the glory of the past. Once upon a time, it was the home of the pigment king Wu Tongwen, a place that symbolized power and wealth. However, power and wealth did not grant Wu Tongwen eternal happiness, but led him to an unpredictable end.
The birth of the first mansion in the Far East
The green house at No. 333 Tongren Road, Shanghai, stands in this prosperous area, like an emerald inlaid in the heart of the city. Each wall of the bungalow is covered with green tiles, which shine in the sun, as if telling the glory and legend of its owner, Wu Tongwen. Hudak, as the master designer behind this building, integrated the essence of Western architecture with the charm of Eastern culture, creating this architectural miracle that was later praised as "the first mansion in the Far East".
Wu Tongwen's identity is not only a successful businessman, his name is closely associated with this green house, and has become a legend in the mouths of people in Shanghai and even the Far East. His wealth came from the supply of paint to the army during the war, and this special green pigment not only accumulated a huge fortune for him, but also became a lucky symbol in his life. Green is ubiquitous in Wu Tongwen's life, and his decision to apply this color to the design of his mansion seems to be a natural fit.
Each wall of the green house is covered with carefully selected green tiles, which appear to be alive in the sunlight, like a lush forest. The curved glass windows imported from Japan not only enhance the overall beauty of the building, but also bring plenty of natural light, making the interior space full of warmth and comfort. These curved glass windows, because of their unique shape and craftsmanship, have become an irreproducible symbol of the green house, adding a bit of mystery and uniqueness to the building.
The interior design of the Green House is equally ingenious. The setting of the elevator was a major innovation at that time, which not only reflected Wu Tongwen's acceptance and use of modern technology, but also greatly facilitated the life of family members. An elevator connects the third and fourth floors, making the two family spaces both independent and connected. The third floor is the residence of Wu Tongwen's wife and children, where the furnishings are warm, and the decorations and furnishings reflect a kind of family warmth and comfort. On the fourth floor, Wu Tongwen, his aunt and their children live in a more intimate layout and a more refined and sophisticated décor.
This unique design of the family structure, which is connected by an elevator, is not only extremely rare at the time, but also perfectly solves the problem of interference that may arise from the two-bedroom family, ensuring the privacy and independence of each other. In addition, the interior decoration of the green house also fully reflects Wu Tongwen's personality and taste. Whether it is the exquisite murals, or the furniture and artworks selected from around the world, they all show a cross-cultural aesthetic perspective and the pursuit of a better life.
In addition to the residential function, the fourth floor balcony of the green house is also designed as a space for leisure and fitness. Not only does it overlook the surrounding cityscape, but it also offers a variety of outdoor activities. Wu Tongwen and his aunt do gymnastics here, which has become a unique scenery in their daily life.
The family story behind the Green House
The Green House, located at 333 Tongren Road in Shanghai, is not only famous in history for its unique appearance and advanced design, but also full of affection and sorrow for the story of the Wu Tongwen family here. This house bears witness to the life of the Wu family, from laughter to tears, the green house seems to become a silent observer, recording everything.
Every design of the Green House reflects Wu Tongwen's personality and his love of life. His persistence and deep affection for the Green House are also reflected in his every renovation and maintenance of this building. Even members of the family, including his second son, could not convince him to abandon his memories-filled home. For Wu Tongwen, the green house is not only a symbol of material wealth, but also the sustenance of his life's efforts and emotions.
One day in August 1966, this house witnessed the last scene of Wu Tongwen's life. On this night full of sorrow, Wu Tongwen and his aunt chose to end their lives in this place full of their common memories. This decision not only marks the end of an era, but also immerses every brick and tile of the green house in deep sadness.
In the days that followed, although the Green House experienced the erosion of time and social changes, the stories and emotions it carried still deeply affected everyone who knew it. It is not only a part of the cultural heritage of Shanghai and the Far East, but also a testimony to the emotional entanglement of Wu Tongwen and his family. The Green House seems to have become a container of time, preserving the laughter and tears of the past, and every corner is full of stories.
The surroundings of the green house show a different style with the change of seasons. In spring, the surrounding trees sprout to echo the façade of the green house, in the summer, the verdant foliage provides shade for the building, in the autumn, the fallen leaves are like a golden carpet on the path leading to the gate, and in the winter, the snow covers the green house, making it more quiet and mysterious. Each season, the Green House tells the story of it and the Wu family in a different way.
Perseverance and letting go under policy changes
With the continuous flow of the times, the green house has undergone a series of changes, and its fate seems to have fluctuated with the wheel of history. This mansion, which once witnessed the joys and sorrows of Wu Tongwen's family, seems to have fallen into a period of silence after the tragic death of Wu Tongwen and his aunt's wife. The green house, once a family symbol and private world, is facing a new destiny with the change of policy and the development of society.
With the policy permitting, Wu Tongwen's widow, his wife, is faced with a major decision – whether to demand the return of the green house, which carries countless memories. As a member of the family, she has a deep affection for the house, and every brick and tile is filled with laughter and tears from the past. However, when faced with a choice, she made a surprising decision: to let it go. Her letting go is not a forgetfulness of family memories, but a deep reflection on the past way of life and a clear expression of her attitude towards future life.
In her eyes, the green house is not only the existence of a physical space, but also a representative of a period of time and a way of life. The prosperity of the Green House, the memories of banquets and balls, although beautiful, are also a kind of past. She knows that even if she can regain her green house, the furniture that needs to be carefully maintained, the kind of social events that take place every night, is no longer the life she is pursuing. With the passage of time and the changes in society, people's mentality will also change. What she longs for is a more prosaic, healthy, and peaceful life, rather than a return to an era full of material prosperity but spiritual emptiness.
This decision, although it surprised some, was also full of wisdom and courage. It is not only a detachment from material wealth, but also a profound understanding of the value and meaning of life. As a symbol, the value of the green house is far more than the building itself, but also the glory of humanity and the memory of the times it carries. And her choice also allows this memory to live on in another form, leaving a deep impression on the hearts of everyone who knows the story of the Green House.
The legend of the Green House
The Green House, located at 333 Tongren Road in Shanghai, has evolved over time to transcend its original physical form and become an indelible cultural heritage of Shanghai and the Far East. Its existence is not only a record of a family history, but also a microcosm of human emotions and choices in the context of an era. It has witnessed the evolution of the city of Shanghai from the early 20th century to modern times, carrying too many dreams, love, family stories and life choices.
The story of the green house begins with Wu Tongwen, the paint king's luxurious life and pursuit of a better life. However, as the wheels of history roll forward, what the Green House has experienced is not only the changes in the external world, but also the deep reflection and choice of the inner owner on the meaning of life. The change of fortune of the Green House reflects the great changes in Chinese society in the 20th century, including wars, political turmoil, social reforms, etc., which have left a unique mark on the history of the Green House.
Over time, the Green House gradually transformed from a private home into a space of public memory. It not only attracts scholars who study Shanghai's history and architecture, but also serves as a window for the general public to learn about this history and feel the cultural heritage. The neighborhood around the Green House has also undergone a sea change, transforming from a wealthy residential area into a cultural landmark full of history that attracts visitors from all over the world.
Inside the Green House, every piece of furniture, every tile, every window tells a story about the past. They are not only the heritage of material culture, but also the carrier of spiritual culture, reflecting the lifestyle, aesthetic taste and values of people in an era. Even after many repairs and renovations, these architectural details still retain their original style and charm, providing modern people with an experience that transcends time and space.
With the development of society, the protection and utilization of green houses has become an important issue. How to preserve its original historical appearance while making it play a greater role in modern society has become the focus of research and practice. On the one hand, as a place for cultural education, the Green House is open to the public, so that more people can understand and learn this period of history and enhance their awareness of the protection of cultural heritage.
The Women in the Green House[J].Gansu Higher Normal Journal,2004,9(4):31-33