Why China's Super Wealthy Turning to Tradition-Looking Homes?

[Nilgiri]

Speaking of Zenshuyo, which is derived from Zen sect of Buddhism brought to Japan from Song Dynasty in late 12th century, traditional Chinese architecture is actually an even broader and more pluralized concept. It comprise of a wide variety of architectural styles, influenced by different ethnicity/cultures (even Han is a diversed culture), royal designs (dynasties, kingdoms), religions (e.g. various sects Buddhism, Muslim), philosophies (e.g. Confucian, Taoism), geography (weather, terrain, natural habitat).

There is a large amount of Zen and other streams of buddhism in Japan and the Far East that trace much to India/Hinduism too:

(Explains in quite some depth)

 

[Shotgunner51]

There is a large amount of Zen and other streams of buddhism in Japan and the Far East that trace much to India/Hinduism too:

(Explains in quite some depth)

If I remember correctly you are familiar with "A Journey to the West" is that right? Yes, Buddhism is an important constituent of East Asian culture. Given the fact that East Asians are less religious in general, Buddhism has evolved to become more like a philosophy, a set of moral virtues, even a model of aesthetic appreciation as reflected in East Asian architecture. I wish for more co-operation between Indian and Chinese historians, social scientists, architects, in joint expeditions to re-discover the vast spiritual wealth of ancient Buddhism.

@Sinopakfriend @TaiShang

 

[Nilgiri]

familiar with "A Journey to the West" is that right?

One of my favourites of all time. I plan on writing a book sometime in the future about its parallels with Indian stories and characters. @RAMPAGE

Yes, Buddhism is an important constituent of East Asian culture. Given the fact that East Asians are less religious in general, Buddhism has evolved to become more like a philosophy, a set of moral virtues, even a model of aesthetic appreciation as reflected in East Asian architecture. I wish for more co-operation between Indian and Chinese historians, social scientists, architects, in joint expeditions to re-discover the vast spiritual wealth of ancient Buddhism.

Yes as people increasingly no longer have to struggle so much for their daily bread, there will be much more aggreggate time and effort in seeking out the heritage and shared history in all the civilisations of the world (I hope!)

 

[RAMPAGE]

One of my favourites of all time. I plan on writing a book sometime in the future about its parallels with Indian stories and characters. @RAMPAGE



Yes as people increasingly no longer have to struggle so much for their daily bread, there will be much more aggreggate time and effort in seeking out the heritage and shared history in all the civilisations of the world (I hope!)

I haven't read it. Do you have some plot in mind?

 

[Nilgiri]

I haven't read it. Do you have some plot in mind?

Not really a plot but more of a comparative non-fiction analysis.

Like the old testament (specifically noah's ark) compared to the epic of gilgamesh and matsya purana etc.

 

[AndrewJin]

Yes I have seen many traditional architectures in Japan, many of those are up-market residences, very nice blend of modern technology with Zenshuyo, Wayo or Daibutsuyo. Several of their architectural designs are also very popular outside of Japan as well, like Tatami, Zen stye interior.

Speaking of Zenshuyo, which is derived from Zen sect of Buddhism brought to Japan from Song Dynasty in late 12th century, traditional Chinese architecture is actually an even broader and more pluralized concept. It comprise of a wide variety of architectural styles, influenced by different ethnicity/cultures (even Han is a diversed culture), royal designs (dynasties, kingdoms), religions (e.g. various sects Buddhism, Muslim), philosophies (e.g. Confucian, Taoism), geography (weather, terrain, natural habitat).

View attachment 331872

As people are getting wealthier, they have more financial freedom to distinguish themselves from usual contemporary living styles and explore the vast spiritual wealth in cultural heritage. I look forward to more architectural designs that blend modern/futuristic technologies, eco-friendliness and traditional culture into one.

Thanks!

Today's Japanese traditional architecture is like the style popular in Tang and Song dynasties.
@Chinese Bamboo seems to be quite informed about traditional architecture in East Asia.

South Korea's Daegu, Japan's Kyoto and China's Changsha were declared as the "2017 East Asia cultural cities" during the meeting.
Daegu, Kyoto and Changsha, which photo belongs to which city?

Beautiful house. I'm sure it's more "western" on the inside though.

On another note, most people can't afford to have a home like that. That's why boring western style homes are so popular around the world.

Modern is modern, western is western, different things.
Chinese modern buildings can also be traditional.

Wuchang Railway Station
Chu kingdom state, 2000+ years ago.

Hubei Provincial Museum, Wuhan

 

[Godman]

Chinese on the outside, Western on the inside -- the wine cellar.

What is the opposite of the pejorative 'banana' here ?

Well this is the 21st century. The main idea here is architecture you can't really compare the modern world with what was centuries ago

 

[Nilgiri]

Today's Japanese traditional architecture is like the style popular in Tang and Song dynasties.
@Chinese Bamboo seems to be quite informed about traditional architecture in East Asia.

South Korea's Daegu, Japan's Kyoto and China's Changsha were declared as the "2017 East Asia cultural cities" during the meeting.
Daegu, Kyoto and Changsha, which photo belongs to which city?
View attachment 331920View attachment 331922View attachment 331921View attachment 331924View attachment 331923


Modern is modern, western is western, different things.
Chinese modern buildings can also be traditional.

Wuchang Railway Station
Chu kingdom state, 2000+ years ago.

Hubei Provincial Museum, Wuhan

Where is the charming bamboo these days? I have not seen her around for a while.

 

[AndrewJin]

Where is the charming bamboo these days? I have not seen her around for a while.

From her last comments and my conversation with her on her profile page, I think she is in the university military training and the first several weeks of adaption to her new life and a new mega city in Western China.

 

[Jlaw]

From her last comments and my conversation with her on her profile page, I think she is in the university military training and the first several weeks of adaption to her new life and a new mega city in Western China.

Oh really? Cool. Hope she learn how to use quickly to shoot rapists.

 

[yusheng]

 

[LA se Karachi]

View attachment 332079 View attachment 332078 View attachment 332080 View attachment 332081

Wow. Now that is impressive. Is this the same house?

 

[yusheng]

I am afraid that are not in the same building, but all are Chinese style furniture and decoration.
this is common in China now if you decide to decorate your house in Chinese style.

 

[gambit]

Well this is the 21st century. The main idea here is architecture you can't really compare the modern world with what was centuries ago

It all comes down to personal taste. The more money you have, the more you are able to enjoy any style you want.

Personally, even though I am Asian, I have always like the American Southwest style architecture.

http://www.houzz.com/southwest-architecture

I like the visually simple geometric style, inside and out. Ornateness, whether it is Victorian or European or Chinese or Japanese, turns me off. I prefers plain walls that are simple textured so I can draw attention to pictures, assorted art, and my books.

Even in the old days, regardless of culture and continent, only the wealthy an afford visually attractive houses. The peasantry lives in one or two rooms houses that are made from cheap materials. Today, urbanized areas have home that are visually similar to those old days. I said VISUALLY. People lives in close proximity to each other, often so close that house designs must be simple to accommodate living. I would rather have an apartment of today than a one-room rental of the old days.

The wealthy can afford to have more land (lot size) so their houses are able to be more expansive. In fact, my current house sits on 1/4 acre or roughly 1000 sq/m. That would put me on all the wealthy side of ancient societies of anywhere, and if I want to, my house would be as visually ornate as the ones in this thread. The modern reality is that my house is American middleclass. Standard 'rambler', whatever that mean. I have 1500 sq/ft or 140 sq/m on top and the same for the basement, for a total of roughly 270 sq/m of functional living space. I have 4 bedrooms and 3 baths. My garage is 2 American SUVs wide with an attached work room that is wired for heavy duty electrical tools. I have an air compressor for my impact tools so I can work on my Jeeps, my off road Toyota truck, and my motorcycle.

And I am average middleclass.

 

[terranMarine]

It all comes down to personal taste. The more money you have, the more you are able to enjoy any style you want.

Personally, even though I am Asian, I have always like the American Southwest style architecture.

http://www.houzz.com/southwest-architecture

I like the visually simple geometric style, inside and out. Ornateness, whether it is Victorian or European or Chinese or Japanese, turns me off. I prefers plain walls that are simple textured so I can draw attention to pictures, assorted art, and my books.

Even in the old days, regardless of culture and continent, only the wealthy an afford visually attractive houses. The peasantry lives in one or two rooms houses that are made from cheap materials. Today, urbanized areas have home that are visually similar to those old days. I said VISUALLY. People lives in close proximity to each other, often so close that house designs must be simple to accommodate living. I would rather have an apartment of today than a one-room rental of the old days.

The wealthy can afford to have more land (lot size) so their houses are able to be more expansive. In fact, my current house sits on 1/4 acre or roughly 1000 sq/m. That would put me on all the wealthy side of ancient societies of anywhere, and if I want to, my house would be as visually ornate as the ones in this thread. The modern reality is that my house is American middleclass. Standard 'rambler', whatever that mean. I have 1500 sq/ft or 140 sq/m on top and the same for the basement, for a total of roughly 270 sq/m of functional living space. I have 4 bedrooms and 3 baths. My garage is 2 American SUVs wide with an attached work room that is wired for heavy duty electrical tools. I have an air compressor for my impact tools so I can work on my Jeeps, my off road Toyota truck, and my motorcycle.

And I am average middleclass.

Would it be possible to share some of the photos of your house?