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Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Storytelling in regenerative architecture

The Chinese folk tale titled “The Three Sisters Who tempered to be meaningful. As more and more people
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Harvested the Moon” (三姐妹摘月亮) tells the story of come to rely on the gourd, it loses its power and needs to
three sisters who see the moon shining brightly in the sky be regenerated, highlighting the importance of balancing
and decide they want to bring it down to Earth. They try to human needs with the needs of the natural environment
climb a tall tree to reach the moon, but it remains beyond by designing sustainably, that is, in balance with nature’s
their reach. They decided to build a tower using bricks cycles. As discussed earlier, regeneration and renewal
made of rice flour and mortar made of sticky rice. With are key concepts in the ambition to create “restorative”
each layer of the tower, they climb higher, closer to the buildings and spaces that contribute to the health and well-
moon. Finally, they reach the moon and bring it down to being of their inhabitants and the natural environment.
Earth, where it becomes a source of light and beauty for all. From Chinese philosophy, regenerative architecture can
A reading of this folk tale through the interpretative lens of learn from the importance of balancing human needs with
regenerative architecture might note approvingly the use of the needs of the natural environment. In many traditional
locally sourced, renewable materials. The tower, adaptable Chinese philosophies, such as Daoism, there is an emphasis
and resilient (the sisters add layers to the tower as they climb on living in harmony with nature and on designing buildings
higher, allowing it to grow and evolve over time), can be and spaces that are in balance with the natural world. This
seen as an example of regenerative thinking. Flexibility and concept means designing buildings and spaces that are
adaptability are key principles of regenerative architecture, not only functional and aesthetically pleasing but also
creating buildings that can evolve over time. The story promote environmental sustainability, ecological health,
emphasizes the importance of working together and using and responsiveness to the natural environment. Daoism is
community resources to achieve a common goal. The sisters a philosophical and spiritual tradition that emphasizes the
bring the moon down to earth only through cooperation importance of harmony with nature, simplicity, and living
and collaboration, highlighting the importance of building in the present moment. The concept of Wuwei (无为) in
community connections and engaging with local resources. Daoism translates to “inaction” or “effortless action”—
By emphasizing the use of sustainable materials, designing the idea that we should allow things to unfold naturally
for adaptability and resilience, and building community without trying to force or control them. Yin and Yang are
connections, the traditional Chinese folk tale “The Three complementary forces present in all things and must be
Sisters Who Harvested the Moon” highlights several key in balance for harmony to be achieved. In the context of
principles of regenerative architecture. architecture, Wuwei and Yin-Yang may be interpreted as
Of particular interest is the Chinese folk tale “The designing buildings and spaces that are in harmony with
Magic Gourd” (神奇的葫芦), in which a young boy named the natural environment, allowing nature to take its course,
Wang Bao discovers a magical gourd that can apparently balancing the needs of people with the needs of the natural
yield unlimited amounts of food and water. With the help environment, and promoting harmony and balance.
of the gourd, Wang Bao can feed and provide for his entire There are numerous stories, folk tales, and mythologies
village. However, as more and more people come to rely from diverse cultures that can illuminate regenerative
on the gourd, it begins to lose its magical power. Wang architectural strategies for living on a damaged planet,
Bao realizes that he needs to find a way to regenerate the narratives that prioritize harmony with the natural world,
gourd’s power, so he takes it to a wise old man who advises environmental sustainability, balance, resilience, and
him to bury the gourd in the ground and let it rest. Here, adaptability. Regenerative architects should prioritize the
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we have an allegory of regenerative relations between use of sustainable building materials that are renewable,
fallow and fertile resources. In time, the gourd regains its non-toxic, and have a low environmental impact. This
power and is able to produce food and water once again. includes materials such as bamboo, recycled steel, and
The story illustrates several themes relevant to regenerative low-carbon concrete. Buildings and spaces should be
architecture: the idea of using natural resources to provide energy-efficient, using strategies such as passive solar
for the community, the importance of regeneration and heating and cooling, natural ventilation, and low-energy
renewal, balance, and sustainability. Magic needs to be
building boats or climbing to high ground. The English 13 The Fairy Godmother’s intervention in Cinderella’s
folk tale of the Three Little Pigs may be used to illustrate story, for example, is tempered by the constraint that
the importance of building with strong, resilient Cinderella must be home from the Prince’s ball by
materials that can withstand natural disasters such as midnight, for reasons that are never explained (except,
high winds, floods, and earthquakes. In regenerative implicitly, by the narrative need to temper magic by
architecture, designing buildings that are resilient to constraint).
flooding, and creating infrastructure that can manage 14 Examples include the Mayan myth of the Maize God,
water sustainably and withstand natural disasters, is the Hopi creation myth, the Yoruba creation myth, and
critical, especially in the face of the current climate crisis. the Inuit story of Sedna.

Volume 6 Issue 2 (2024) 7 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.1335