Modern architecture with "soul": a contemporary approach to chinese regional culture

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to develop the concept of Chinese architecture with "soul" that is the contemporary strategy of the representation of regional culture in China. Based on the analysis of critical regionalism and phenomenology of architecture the author devises a unique approach of "modern architecture with soul" which corresponds to the specific situation of Cultural identity in China that is characterised by diversity, regionalism and adherence to the principles of traditional Chinese philosophy. The strategy of "modern architecture with soul" follows the three principles: the Chinese culture as the "spirit", the materiality of architecture are the "skeleton" relevance and environmentalism as the "flesh and blood". They form a new direction to solve the current architectural problems in China through the expression of regional culture; explore a new way for the reasonable, healthy and sustainable development of contemporary architecture in view of the accelerating assimilation, rigidity and "overspeed development" of architecture in the globalizing world.