Dougong and Spear Plane

28/10/2019, h. 14:30 – 17:30
DAStU, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 26, Edificio Carta, SALA CONSIGLIO

Observation on the Heritagization of Traditional Chinese and Japanese Building Techniques

Due to the huge impact of modernized construction industry from the West, China and Japan – both of which had maintained its East Asian construction culture of timber – suffered a serious defeat. Among traditional craft practitioners, some underwent industrial transformation and some sought alternatives, while only a few strived to remain in the sector by engaging in the repairing and maintenance of architectural heritage. On the other hand, the introduction of Western architecture prompted local modern architects to sort out their own heritage and shaped their knowledge about traditional architecture, and architects began to replace traditional craftsmen in the field of heritage restoration.
The surviving traditional practitioners also absorbed those same areas of knowledge and were guided in their professional practices.The creation of cultural symbols like the dougong and spear plane might be taken as an extension of this process. Along with it, new knowledge has been generated and has spurred further social reproduction.

Relatore: Congcong Ren, Associate Professor IHNS, CAS
Discussant: Pierre-Alain Croset, An He, Francesca Berni

Responsabile: Luyi Liu