On 5 December 2020, RIBA Hello China held the final digital talk in our Hello China series. Xing Ruan discussed his work 'Vitruvius’ Courtyard, Confucius’ Courtyard, and a Developing Story'.
About Xing Ruan
Xing has published multiple books about the cultural history of housing, architecture and anthropology, vernacular architecture, architectural education, Louis Kahn and modern architecture, China’s pre-modern, modern and contemporary architecture, as well as Australian contemporary architecture.
His books have received critical acclaim both in academic journals and from mainstream media outlets around the world.
Xing teaches architectural design, history, and theory. In addition, he has been a keynote speaker at public lectures in China, South-East Asia, India, USA, UK, Italy, New Zealand, Argentina and Australia. He also serves as a supervisor for PhD and Masters research degrees.
Abstract
From approximately 1000 BCE to 500 BCE, Chinese communities abandoned their subterranean huts to live in courtyard houses. At about the same time, those living along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, were also constructing courtyard houses. But neither the architectural writer Vitruvius nor philosopher Confucius offer any explanation of these “heavenly house on earth” in their respective regions. Instead, Vitruvius speaks about the public character of the 'domus atrium' - a Mediterranean home's reception hall, and the owner’s civic duty, whilst Confucius teaches the meaning of social etiquette and morality through courtyard living.
The Greek and Roman 'domus' did not last long; however, the Chinese continued to live in their courtyard houses for more than 3000 years, therefore creating a unique contrast between Eastern and Western life.
Through his building project, the Shanghai Jiao Tong School of Design, Xing Ruan embarks upon this developing story through this informative talk.
