Research On The Architectural Creation And Thought Of Mo Bozhi

Creative practice of individual architects is the most dynamic part in the history of architecture. The works by the Lingnan architects speak much about the evolution of the Lingnan architecture. Systematic studies of the individual creation process and the ideas behind will help the existing research of the Lingnan architects, as well as inheriting and developing of the ideas associated with Lingnan architectural works.Mo Bozhi, a master of architecture, is one of the most outstanding Lingnan architects. In the spirit of diligently explorations, he and his partners carried out their architectural design practices and made great achievements by integrating Lingnan culture, regional context and modern architectural thinking. Their efforts have linked the past and present in the historical developments of the modern Lingnan architecture, and carried it forward. In the process, they promoted the influence and status of the Lingnan architecture and boosted the Lingnan’s cultural self-confidence.In this thesis, the paths, ideas and characters of Mo Bozhi’s architectural creations are explored by finding, sorting and analyzing historical datas based on existing studies in the context of socio-economic and professional developments. His architectural creations are studied as a whole and the inspirations derived from that are discussed for the contemporary architectural education, architectural designs and the developing of Lingnan culture.Chapter One elaborates on the basis, significance, objectives, contents, framework, methods and highlights of this study, and puts forward the significance of the study of Mo Bozhi’s architectural creations on three aspects, the role of paragon, methodology and culture, which are placed in the three highlights of this study.Chapter Two introduces the basic conditions of the research, including the overview, inadequacy and gaps of the existing studies, and presents the different stages of Mo Bozhi’s architectural creations. Moreover, the social and cultural backgrounds of his creations are analyzed in order to put the individual research in a broader perspective.Chapter Three combs the main activities, background and factors affecting of various stages of Mo Bozhi’s architectural creations by finding and sorting out historical data, so the whole picture of the development of his architectural creations can be recognized from the aspect of practical activities.Chapter Four analyzes the typical works in the four main stages of Mo Bozhi’s architectural creations. Five works are selected for each stage and their characters are analyzed individually. Based on this, the characteristics of the stages are concluded and the development of his architectural creations can be understood specifically from the aspect of building form.In Chapter Five, on the basis of previous combing of the evolution and analysis of the works, the main characteristics of different stages are analyzed from the four aspects, gardens research and new applications, the paths of regional architectural design, aesthetic composition and the forms of expression. So the organic links between different stages are revealed from the aspect of internal logic.Chapter Six, based on the above-mentioned studies, summarizes the thinking of Mo Bozhi in his architectural creations. Key points include rational spirit of objective and pragmatic, human spirit of harmonious and natural, and inclusive spirit of open and pluralistic. In-depth analysis is made from the ideological connotations and design expressions.Chapter Seven, referring to the research results and methods of Cross-disciplinary, explores the unique factors of Mo Bozhi’s architectural creations, with focus on the connections between his personality traits and success, cultural character and architectural thinking, knowledge structure and creative thinking, artistic awareness and the creation evolution. Through comparison with other two Lingnan architects, Li Keming and Xia Changshi, the unique character of Mo Bozhi’s architectural creations is revealed, and his historical position in the development of modern Lingnan architecture is identified.In the conclusion, the paper summarizes the bases of subjective and objective, evolution path and personalized connotation of Mo Bozhi’s architectural creations, and discusses the inspirations from three aspects, contemporary architectural education, architectural designs and the developing of Lingnan culture.