Page 53 - JCAU-6-4

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Architectural complex of Yiyang Garden

support medical care and recuperation. During the early planting area on the east side. Figure 7 shows the plant
Republic of China period (1912 ‒ 1949), as Western medicine distribution map in Yiyang Garden. Area one features a
began to spread, many hospitals were housed in traditional wide range of arbor trees accented by red kapok flowers,
residential buildings. These hospital rooms were often creating a stunning view when in bloom. Area Two boasts
small, dark, and poorly ventilated (Liu, 2006). However, a large lawn with fruit trees such as mango and jackfruit.
windows are essential in hospital buildings, especially Area three revolves around the pond, where aquatic plants
in inpatient wards, as they provide patients with a vital thrive. In addition, trees such as Podocarpus macrophyllus,
connection to nature and social life. The inpatient rooms Michelia x alba, and Camphora officinarum emit chemical
at Yiyang Garden are spacious, with a strong emphasis on substances with certain healing and medicinal properties
natural daylight and ventilation, featuring large windows in (Xie, 2016). This thoughtful selection of plants reflects the
every room. In addition, the architectural design of Yiyang meticulous design approach of Liang.
Garden places great emphasis on the inclusion of balconies The plants across these three areas form a verdant and
and rooftop terraces. Therefore, many buildings in the floral garden landscape, with towering trees providing
Yiyang Garden feature a combination of flat and pitched shade and a variety of flowers in full bloom. Scattered
roofs, which not only maintain the traditional pitched throughout the garden are buildings with distinct garden
roof’s effective drainage and stylistic uniformity but also features, along with various forms of pavilions, terraces,
create space for rooftop activities. This design retains and corridors. The elegant buildings, lush greenery,
the esthetic and functional advantages of a traditional lotus-filled ponds, and the serene Pearl River create a
pitched roof while introducing modern enhancements. harmonious composition, showcasing high artistic value
The rooftop terraces and balconies attached to the patient in landscape architecture. This emphasis on the healing
rooms serve as excellent spaces for patients with limited power of nature and the design of a therapeutic, garden-like
mobility to connect with nature. These spatial designs environment exemplifies the traditional Chinese courtyard
enhance the indoor environment, offering enhanced views layout, integrating courtyards, halls, and corridors. On its
and increased sunlight exposure, which allow patients to completion, Yiyang Garden received widespread praise
experience the changing seasons and the flow of daily life from the upper classes of society at the time.
from within. Overall, these architectural features provide In ancient China, emperors pursued immortality
an excellent environment for patient recuperation. and continually experimented with various methods to

4.3. Landscape design achieve longevity, assuming that mastering the principles
of medicine was essential for extending life. The ancient
Yiyang Garden was designed by garden experts and Chinese text Su Wen: Bao Ming Quan Xing Ji (素问：宝
painters (Lai, 1991). The garden features a wide variety 命全形记) emphasizes that in addition to medication,
of trees, flowers, and plants, totaling 27 different species, cultivating emotions and regulating one’s mental state
including ornamental, fruit, and shade trees. Based on the are crucial for health (Wang, 1992). Therefore, Chinese
planting layout, the flora in Yiyang Garden can be roughly medicine places great emphasis on preserving the
divided into three areas: the courtyard planting area spirit. Healing was believed to come from the natural
around the outpatient and surgical buildings, the garden environment, emphasizing harmony between humans and
planting area in front of the inpatient area, and the pond nature. Traditional Chinese medical facilities were often

Figure 7. The distribution map of plants in Yiyang Garden. Source: Drawing by the authors.

Volume 6 Issue 4 (2024) 11 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.2830