Tongli, Suzhou

I have met up with The Cal Poly group that is doing a Summer Study Abroad Program in China. Irma Ramirez is the the Professor leading the interdisciplinary group of architecture, urban planning, and landscape architecture students. It is nice to see some familiar Faces!

I have arranged to stay with them for the next Several days and piggyback on their discussions, insight and experiences. Our first activity was to explore the "water town" of Tongli. The large area of Central Eastern China is mostly lowlands in and around the delta outlet of the Yangtze River. Tongli is one of many of the water towns that contain well preserved Chinese architecture and gardens.

It's very interesting to me how much of traditional Chinese design it based on symbolism and/or a direct reference to Chinese mythology and culture. Gardens and buildings work in reciprocal means and are guided on two different systems, yet integrate seamlessly. Their is a constant search for Balance.

After Tongli, we traveled to Suzhou , which was the center for art and culture during the Ming Dynasty ( 15th-16th century). It is a walled in city, surrounded by a mote, with a collection of site and gardens. Our first stop, was at the Suzhou Museum, designed by Chinese American architect IM Pei. The Museum is meant to recognize the town of Suzhou for its historical and cultural significance and contributions to China. The building itself is an elegantly modern interpretations of traditional Chinese design. It contains all the same core elements but in contemporary fashion.

Suzhou also contained some gorgeous traditional Chinese gardens, such as the Humble Administrators Garden and Lions Grove. In these Gardens, Water plays an essential role. If anything, it is to balance the atmosphere, but of coarse water provides this element of life and serenity.

On this trip I feel Like have taken in so much and I'm only about halfway through. I am already looking forward to future design projects where I can put these ideas to use.

Guangzhou, China

After crossing China's Border over land from Hong Kong I stayed in China's southern Largest City Guangzhou. Historically known as Canton, locals people speak Cantonese, a dialect of Chinese distinct from Mandarin.

I wanted to make a stop in this area because Southern China Coast is China's most industrious region, and the city of Guangzhou is growing rapidly. The town itself seems to be one large construction zone , I never thought I would see brand new high rise buildings completed on roads that had even been paved yet. Though hard to maneuver, there are several standout projects underway that I wanted to visit.

one is a Skyscraper named the "Pearl River Tower." this design by SOM was published to be the worlds first "Carbon neutral Skyscraper", that is, it would produce more energy than it would consume thus offsetting carbon emissions. This would be achieved by shaping the facade of the building to force prevailing winds into concentrated locations, passing through turbines to power the building. The design also employs geothermal heat sinks,waterless urinals, integrated photovoltaic and daylight responsive controls. Unfortunately the building is planned for completion in October, and I did not see this energy marvel in action.

Another project that has just finished, though not yet open, is the Guangzhou Opera house designed by London based Zaha Hadid. This space age post modern building creates interesting spacial experiences and contrast the vertical buildings that surround it. But when up close to the building, the trained eye can quickly establish this building was "made in China." I would imagine that this is due to the general lack of vital communication between the designer and the builder, for various reasons.

China Is Massive and complex. It rightfully makes up the biggest chunk of my itinerary, and there is Much more to see.

Hong Kong

My first impression of Hong Kong is WOW! TO sit in awe at the skyline surrounding Victoria Harbor , one cannot help but to impressed with what mankind has accomplished. And in Hong Kong, it has truly been an international collaboration to build this metropolis.

With a Population of over 7 million and an average density of more than 6,000 people per square kilometer it is one of the most densely populated places in the world. And amazingly, unlike most great cities of the world, Hong Kong developed almost entirely with out any political will. The cities development was driven solely by commerce, and as a result, it is jam packed with unpredictable nuances that only a free market enterprise would allow for.

Rather than large formal open spaces found in many political capitals, the public domain of hong Kong lies in its vast network of inter modal transit, retail and pedestrian corridors. There are seemingly three street levels with in central hong kong: A sub-terrian level, open air ground level ( with auto traffic) and a "plaza level" (raised above the ground that directly connects the central atrium's of all the high rises). All three levels seamlessly connect with flowing pedestrian traffic.

Right now Hong Kong's relationship with China (since the 1997 relinquishment by the Brits) is "one nation - Two systems " . Before 97' Hong Kong had an open door policy to immigration (mostly Chinese ), which in combination with booming commerce led to such high densities.There are some parts of the city that could be considered the "best example of globalization in progress". For the most part, HK has dealt with these densities with High Rise apartment blocks, much like the "towers in the park" scheme of Le' corbusier. Whatever your aesthetic opinion maybe, in this case they seem to be quite successful at full filing their function

I was able to go to Hong Kong University and see the Thesis exhibits of the masters of architecture program . I always enjoy seeing what peers are working on and what they produce. Daisy Yiu , Cal Poly arch. class of '09, now lives in hong Kong and was kind enough to show me parts of hong kong most foreigners don't get to see. It has been fun traveling during the world cup, getting to see each city in an excited social form.

Many internationally renowned firms hold ans office in hong Kong, SOM, OMA and Foster and Partners to name a few. All have built works in the city as well. Hong Kong is by any definition a modern Mega city and could be considered a capital of a global society if there is such a thing. I found a quote by Foster about Hong Kong.. " Hong Kong might be the most interesting place I've ever been. I never Thought I would be in a city that made New York look like a Sunday Afternoon. "