Defining Principles for Contemporary Chinese Architecture

Abstract This article presents, through a clear methodology, the attempt to define a list of words, namely, a terminology with which may be possible describe the actual characteristics of contemporary Chinese architecture. China has become one of the world’s hottest spot for building construction and meanwhile Chinese architecture begins to gain globe attention and local architects are emerging in the worldwide arena. Moreover, China’s architecture may be considered as characterized by a multiplicity of languages and it is very hard to apprehend Chinese architecture away from the roots in a Chinese context. Aware of this multifaceted context, the research questions are: how to give voice to the culture of contemporary Chinese architecture? Which are the terms that can be used in the description of contemporary Chinese architecture in order to create a common understanding on it? In terms of methodological approach the research has been developed through two-pronged strategies: from a process and tactics of qualitative research to the construction of a logical framework. A list of 24 keywords was finally conceived and they were used to map the conditions, contexts, discourses and strategies of contemporary Chinese architecture.