Author: Hank M.Chao   Time: 2008-1-21 14:50:53

 

A: Chinese people had been proud of their own culture and technologies. Certainly, they also had regarded themselves as the center of the world for thousands of years. This kind of sense of superior had been fully destroyed by the western invaders during the World War I. From this historical background point of view, we might be able to get a clearer picture why the so –called western style plays a critical role by the year of 2000 in China. Minotti, Maxalto, Cassina and some other major furniture manufacturers dominate the design style especially in residential projects. The color and materials used in their products and interior display shown in their catalogues fully dominates the designers’ thinking in design. Some other eclectic styles might use Spanish mosaic tiles to get the exotic touch in interior or exterior projects.

 

A: China had gradually getting its own confidence after the fast development in economy. Chinese designers learned more to look back from their past. They also realized the valuable parts of their own glory in the past. From my personal point of view, Chinese designers still don’t fully know how to use their own traditional elements into their own design. They first learned more from the adjacent country such as Japan or some other Chinese provinces like Hong Kong or Taiwan. These places westernized much earlier and had learned how to mix their own design language in the past into the contemporary design elements.

 

 

 

A: Beijing got its own distinctive style for thousands of years. Japanese had brought Chinese Tang Dynasty architecture elements and reinterpreted with their own spirit, which become so their call Japanese style nowadays. I can see the same situation happening here in Beijing. Chinese Designers are trying to find their own design language and learning how to mix with the contemporary elements. As we all know, Chinese style had been quite similar through centuries. We can’t find too much difference in Ancient Chinese architecture. Therefore, I think after the struggle of finding their own way, Chinese designers might be finding something incredible or even a trend in style a couple years later.

 

A: Courtyard House (Siheyuan) has been the major format in Beijing. And the floral pattern on the windows and doors are the most recognizable and impressive elements in Beijing. Besides, Chinese calligraphy, painting and China vase are also very stylish for years. I do think its quite similar to the Postmodernism in the West, the “Chinese Postmodernism’ will be happening for the next coming years,  which means these elements might be exaggerated and re-interpreted in the new format, or, it could appear in any other way. That really depends on each designer’s efforts and the way they present themselves as well.

 

 

 

A: Lots of great buildings have become landmark of Beijing designed by a few very distinguished European architects, such as National Stadium by Paul Andreu, CCTV Station and Headquarter by Koolhas, National Aquatics Center by the Australian design firm, PTW. These buildings appeared in a brand new format, of course, give a great impact to the Chinese local designers. Just like these new architectures have melted into the live of people in Beijing, these new thoughts will have interior designers in Beijing fight for a brand new way of design ideas too.

 

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