中国房子
2009-5
五洲传播出版社
波普客
171
刘浚
We regard Chinese houses as a medium of social aesthetic values.Through recording and description, we seekafter a visualized analytical system by revealing the hidden meaning of individual houses. How can we find theaesthetic values of Chinese houses？ We believe that by representing matters as they are, we are interpretingthem. Houses are the most obvious and handy objects of observation in our living space. A Chinese houseembodies the culture and customs of the Chinese people, more importantly, it reflects the fundamentalaesthetic views of the Chinese. What we did is to observe and present the images.Among Chinese architectures, the most iconic one is perhaps thelqan'anmen Rostrum, followed by the Bird Nest thathas recently become a national symbol, or the new building for CCTV designed by Rem Koolhaas. But how manypeople have closely observed the little-known common houses that abound in quantity in cities, counties, townsand villages？They can't provide news pegs; history hasn't bestowed the plain houses with any memorable events;nor can they offer any sparkling architectural concepts worthy of discussion. Compared with the famous landmarks,numerous ordinary houses have provided the space for most Chinese people's daily activities: living, doing business,enjoying leisure, working, studying, even paying homage to deities... These houses that are hard to describe andneglected by most people have formed the normal state of Chinese architecture.China is experiencing waves of construction unseen for centuries or even millenniums. From infrastructureconstruction with national investment to real estate business that affects the life of every Chinese, the topic ofChinese architecture covers a wide spectrum. Discussions over Chinese architecture have been heated, withmost studies launched from the urban point of view. All the debates, experiments and earnest appeals havetaken the city as the assumed target. But even inside the urban sphere, the explorations have been confinedwithin official buildings and massive commercial structures. On the contrary, common Chinese houses havebeen ignored with their familiarity and plainness. We have been walking in cities and villages, taking photos ofgrassroots houses and trying to reveal their aesthetic values.
Has anyone seriously observed the houses scattered in China's metropolis, counties or towns？ Huge in number, these plain buildings have nothing to catch news headlines.History hasn't conferred them any special meaning, nor can they supply food for debates with ingenious design. However, such common houses represent the fundamental aesthetic awareness of contemporary Chinese.
PrefacePublicSpaceFolk ResidencesCommunitiesDoor,Window,WallCourtyardTemporary Buildings
插图：Department stores have replaced movie theaters to become the town center.The oldest shopping area in anytown or city is often called Baihuo Dalou - Grand Building of 1 00 Commodities. Such old-fashioned stores havebeen replaced by trendy shopping malls or commercial streets, which are the throbbing heart of a moderncity. However, to catch a glimpse of the residents' real life, one can visit the vegetable market. Whether in smalltowns or cosmopolis, such markets are surprisingly similar.The stalls line up in rows, with inadequate lightingthroughout the year, but attracting customers who display the same eagerness in bargaining over a dazzlingarray of vegetables, fruits and others. Many housewives would drag small carts or carry a basket to the market.Wandering among the stalls displaying the season's freshest crops or meat, a housewife would carefully selectthe materials for nutritional meals of the day. Without spending too much, she can get both green leavesand tender pork. A Chinese housewife's ability to cook wonderful meal with limited cash can be amazingand admirable. Many Chinese would follow the same route on their daily shopping rounds. Perhaps very fewpeople really care about the building of the market. Without care, these buildings are invariably dusty and gray,or simply hidden behind billboards and various ads.Compared with shopping malls, shops in counties and towns are less flaring but more amiable. Residentsmay turn a small part of their apartment that faces the street into a small shop which sells daily necessitieslike vinegar and soy sauce. Such shops may function as a mini community center, as neighbors lounge abouton chairs provided by the shop owner, exchanging latest news in town. Such unobtrusive shops that scattereverywhere have provided much convenience to the neighborhood.For students, the most important public building is their school.The classroom and the playground are where theyspend most of the day. For most Chinese children bom in an average family, studying remains the only channelto change their fate. If a teenager succeeded in the examinations to enter a prestigious senior middle school or auniversity, he or she will definitely be regarded as a model by anxious parents in the community. An old tale goes thata diligent young man hung his hair on the beam and thrust an awl at his leg to keep himself awake while reading deepinto the night. Such stories have remained popular in the nation as the pressure of the huge population forces peopleto strive hard for any chances. For those who have succeeded, donating for public education always wins applauses.Many middle schools and universities would name a building or a laboratory with the name of the generousphilanthropist. Architectures will remain standing for many years in normal times, thus it's wise to turn cash withundulating value into something tangible.The Hope Project has gained numerous people's support. Some donatemoney, others volunteer as teachers, they've all joined in the surging torrent of sending warmth to underprivilegedchildren. Dilapidated rural schools may lag behind luxurious private schools in many ways, but the sound of child ren'schanting is equally soul-touching, symbolizing the hopes of a family and an entire nation.
