Page 102 - JCAU-7-1

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Modern Chinese architecture adaptations

1928 – 1929 to modernist and Western Art Deco forms Conflict of interest
in the mid-1930s. His stylistic exploration and evolving
adaptations were echoed in the works of Dong and Liu. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Dong Dayou adopted the Chinese “classical” or traditional Author contributions
style in his designs for municipal buildings in the Greater
Shanghai Plan, while his own residence conveyed abstract, Conceptualization: Prudence Lau
simple, modernistic forms. Liu Jiupiao, in contrast, Formal analysis: Prudence Lau
appeared to share more similarities in design intention Investigation: Prudence Lau
with Van Wylick. Both architects were evidently inspired by Methodology: Prudence Lau, Zuoyi Chen
modern decorative movements, particularly the Art Deco Writing – original draft: Prudence Lau
style. After all, Liu Jipiao served as the chief architect of the Writing – review & editing: Prudence Lau, Zuoyi Chen
Chinese Pavilion at the 1925 Paris Exposition, an experience Ethics approval and consent to participate
that greatly inspired him in his architectural designs at the
Hangzhou West Lake Exposition of 1929, as well as his Not applicable.
personal writings advocating for architecture as fine arts. Consent for publication
The modernistic designs in these cities were also partly
reflective of the Western art and architectural milieu, Not applicable.
particularly at a time when the 1925 Paris (Art Deco) Availability of data
Exposition featured similar forms that could be interpreted
as a contestation against traditional and colonial styles in Data in the study on the Crédit Foncier d’Extrême-Orient
striving for modern expressions. For Gabriel Van Wylick, can be obtained from the State Archives of Belgium in
Dong Dayou, and Liu Jipiao, their architectural works were Brussels.
modern reinterpretations of Chinese architecture in the
early 20 century. In summary, these architects ultimately Further disclosure
th
transformed the urban landscape in China, particularly in Part of or the entire set of findings has been derived from
Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Hangzhou, evolving from early the author’s doctoral dissertation on the research of Crédit
efforts to introduce modernist exteriors characterized by Foncier d’Extrême-Orient (https://repository.lib.cuhk.edu.
Western Art Deco forms to experimenting with new living hk/en/item/cuhk-327755).
spaces that paved the way for further developments in
modern Chinese architecture. References

Acknowledgments Andersen, B. (1991). Imagined Communities: Reflections of the
Origin and Spread of Nationalism. London: Verso.
The authors would like to thank the State Archives of Belgium Bergamini, J. V. W. (1924). Architectural Meditations. The Chinese
for providing documents and primary materials related to Recorder, 55(10):650-656.
the Crédit Foncier d’Extrême-Orient. They are indebted to
Edouard Van Wylick, who shared his late father, Gabriel Chen, P. P. (2009). The Making of a Modern Art World: The
Institutionalisation of Guohua in Shanghai, 1929-1937. Ph.D
Van Wylick’s sketchbook and newspaper clippings with the Dissertation, University of London.
authors for her research on the Crédit Foncier d’Extrême-
Orient. They would also like to acknowledge Jennifer Wong Clunas, C. (1989). Chinese art and Chinese artists in France
and Gayook Wong, granddaughter and daughter of Liu 1924-1925. In: Arts Asiatiques. Vol. 44. California: Tome,
p. 100-106
Jipiao, for establishing the website dedicated to Liu Jipiao
and for engaging in discussions about her grandfather’s Colquhoun, A. (2002). Modern Architecture. Oxford: New York:
work some years ago. Last but not least, the authors would Oxford University Press.
like to thank Prof. Xu Subin for her valuable comments. Crinson, M. (2003). Modern Architecture and the End of Empire.
Aldershot, England: Ashgate.
Funding
Denison, E., & Guang Y. R. (2008). Modernism in China:
For her recent visit to Hangzhou and related research work Architectural Visions and Revolutions. Chichester: John
on Lin Fengmian and the West Lake Expo Museum, the Wiley and Sons.
first author was partially funded by the Central Academy Dong, D. Y. (1936). Architecture chronicle. In: T’ien Hsia Monthly.
of Fine Arts and the Department of Cultural and Creative Vol. 3. Nanking: Sun Yat-sen Institute for the Advancement
Arts at The Education University of Hong Kong. of Culture and Education.

Volume 7 Issue 1 (2025) 8 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.3710