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The Poetic Place of Life: The Design Concept and Design Techniques of Classical Gardens of Suzhou
“ When the living environment is meaningful, people will feel comfortable as at home.”
Two years ago, I had the opportunity back to Suzhou for a trip, and I was shocked by modern high-rise buildings crowded in the Suzhou Industrial Development Zone. These new high-rise buildings look like imposed aliens to this place. Suzhou has been known for its beautiful and poetic living environment since ancient times. High-rise buildings destroy an area's cultural context and living environment, although modern facilities greatly expand office space and improve living efficiency.
Suzhou has a unique and poetic native landscape architecture: Classical Gardens of Suzhou. Suzhou Gardens are a group of harmonious residential landscapes, emphasizing the harmony between the humanistic spirit and the natural environment. Most gardens were built from the Northern Song to the Qing dynasties for scholars' residence at the time. Suzhou Gardens' design concept originated from scholars' specific values and vision, expressing their unique wisdom in creating a living place. Specifically, the design concept of Suzhou classical gardens can be summarized as meaning-driven, lifestyle-oriented. Based on its design concept, there are corresponding design techniques. Let us talk about…
