City's architecture taken to the world
(CHEN QIDE)
12/21/2001
AS an Italian architect, Luigi Novelli never thought that one day he might introduce Shanghai's architecture to others when he first came to the city in the early 1990s.But after three years of toil, he has completed his book, "Shanghai Architecture Guide 100 Years/100 Buildings," which is targeted at non-Chinese, especially Italians. "Many Italians don't know a lot about Shanghai due to a lack of information," Novelli said, adding that the book presents a different side of the city's architecture for foreigners. As an Italian, Novelli was fascinated by the city's Chinese and Western architecture as soon as he set foot in Shanghai in 1992. He toured the city and compared one building with another, trying to find out which part was Chinese and which was Western. He also referred to many books and consulted Chinese architects. Novelli said the most interesting aspect of the city is a combination of different types of buildings, which leaves a deep impression on visitors. "As a hybrid city, Shanghai has become a museum of world architecture," he said. Not withstanding the architecture on the Bund, Novelli said houses in Longtang alley vary in Spanish, Mediterranean, Rationalist and Renaissance styles, though their lay-out originates from Chinese tradition. "Longtang alley dwellings, a symbol of Shanghai, were the result of an amalgam of Western and Chinese dwelling types," he said. They were built initially to serve as provisional huts to meet urgent housing needs. Under the influence of Chinese rules, many Western-styled buildings were built to face south - combining traditions to create a new style. Graduated from Rome University in 1987, Novelli has a studio in Italy as an architectural designer. The Italian said he will continue his research of Shanghai's architecture.
|
