Chinese Architecture in the eyes of a Non Chinese

This treatise of mine is mainly limited to what I saw to many Chinese

houses or buildings built by them in our community. I have not gone to
Mainland China or lived in Binondo, I only went in Hongkong and Macau, but I
will not delve with what I saw in those regions but rather my immediate
neighborhood or areas - Ilocos Norte and Sur.

Chinese play a vital role in the building of commercial complex in our

cities or municipalities. They own many businesses, from hardware, general
merchandize to grocery stores and built side by side with each other. They
dominate the business and commerce sectors. You cannot complete the
poblacion or centro without Chinese residences. And most often than not,
their residences are also where their businesses are located.

In todays age however, I have never seen very elaborate Chinese

architecture. Many of their buildings clearly adopted their simplicity and
practicality which became their primary principles why they tick as
businessmen. They do not have complicated structural designs. The value
thrift mentality can be seen from the simplicity of their adornments. Their
first or ground floor houses their businesses or where they sell their wares
and the upper part their residences. But of course paintings and carvings
were added to the architectural work to make it more beautiful and
attractive.

Unlike the Ancient Chinese architecture which is mainly timberwork and

wooden posts, beams, lintels and joists that makes up the framework of a
house, walls that serve as the separation of rooms without bearing the
weight of the whole house, which is unique to China, now, you see different
kind of architecture; the Chinese seemingly espouse a much uncomplicated
style. They are more concerned with their display areas and the bodegas to
accommodate their merchandise and stocks. They want simple or
unsophisticated designs.
I still see colored glaze roofs but again they are now more of the shingles;
windows with exquisite appliqu design and beautiful flower patterns on
wooden pillars that reflected the high-level of the craftsmen's handicraft and
their rich imagination are now pass, delicate design and beautiful patterns
on know edge not on wood but on glasses.

This contemporary architecture is maybe so because these Chinese are

no longer the hardcore or traditional Chinese but modern day
entrepreneurs who want to concentrate more on the economy than art, who
want to be simpler than classy or chic. Older styles but made newly to
adapt to the changing times especially its utility.