Siheyuan: Silly Pillar is Kind

After the successful holding of the global forum "Tradition and Modernity: Siheyuan Cultural Dialogue", Siheyuan has gained not only international reputation and many cooperation intentions, but also further thinking about its own cultural heritage and innovation mission. In order to better implement the results of the forum, Siheyuan residents and relevant partners jointly launched the "Siheyuan Cultural Heritage Innovation Practice Base" project. At the project launch meeting, a partner from the education field said: "We hope that this practice base can become a cradle for cultivating the next generation of cultural inheritors. We can offer traditional cultural experience courses specifically for primary and secondary school students, from architectural knowledge to folk customs, so that children can learn through practice. For example, we can organize students to build a miniature model of a Siheyuan by themselves, and in the process understand the architectural structure and construction technology of the Siheyuan; arrange folk culture lectures, invite folk artists to tell stories about traditional festivals, and let children participate in making festival-related handicrafts, such as sachets for the Dragon Boat Festival and rabbit gods for the Mid-Autumn Festival." Grandma Li from the Siheyuan nodded in agreement: "This is a good idea. Children are the future of cultural inheritance, and they must have feelings for the Siheyuan culture from an early age. I can tell the children about the life of the Siheyuan in the past, and they will definitely love to listen to those old stories." A representative of a technology company also put forward his own ideas: "We can integrate modern technology into the construction of the practice base. Develop some virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experience projects about Siheyuan culture, so that tourists and students can experience the style and life scenes of Siheyuan in different historical periods in an immersive way. For example, through VR equipment, as if traveling back to the family sacrificial ceremony of the ancient Siheyuan, or experiencing the social dance in the Siheyuan during the Republic of China. " Xiao Ming asked curiously: "Will these technology projects make people ignore the real Siheyuan?" The representative of the technology company explained: "No. These technology experiences are just a supplement and expansion, the purpose is to attract more young people and groups interested in technology to pay attention to the Siheyuan culture. Moreover, we will set up guidance in the experience project to encourage people to explore the Siheyuan on the spot after the experience and feel the charm of real architecture and life. " In terms of the architectural planning of the practice base, an architect said to the residents: "We plan to add some modern functional areas on the basis of retaining the original layout of the Siheyuan. For example, a multi-functional cultural exhibition hall can be built, which can not only hold Siheyuan cultural exhibitions, but also serve as a venue for small performances and lectures; it can also create a creative workshop area to provide artists and craftsmen with creative space, so that they can combine Siheyuan cultural elements with modern art forms here to create more novel works. " Resident Grandpa Zhang said worriedly: "Don't destroy the overall style of the Siheyuan by adding these areas. " The architect smiled and replied: "Don't worry, Uncle Zhang, we will adopt an architectural design method that combines tradition and modernity. In terms of appearance, the new building will draw on the architectural elements of the Siheyuan, such as eaves, brackets, blue bricks and gray tiles, etc., to make it coordinated with the original building; in terms of internal space layout, modern space design concepts will be used to meet various functional needs." As the construction of the practice base gradually progressed, during the preparation of exhibits in the cultural exhibition hall, a cultural relic expert said to the staff: "We should focus on representativeness and storytelling when selecting exhibits. In addition to displaying the architectural components, old photos, traditional furniture and other physical objects of the Siheyuan, detailed text descriptions and multimedia materials should be provided to tell the historical stories and cultural connotations behind these exhibits. For example, this old-fashioned Taishi chair may have witnessed the majesty of the family elders and the solemnity of family meetings in the Siheyuan. We need to dig out these stories so that the audience can better understand the family concept in the Siheyuan culture." The staff asked: "Then how should we protect some easily damaged cultural relics? "The expert replied: "We will adopt professional cultural relics protection measures, such as setting up a constant temperature and humidity display environment, installing anti-theft and anti-vibration devices, etc. At the same time, we will limit the audience's touch and close contact, and set up protective fences and guide signs to allow the audience to appreciate the exhibits at a safe distance." When the practice base was initially built and opened to the public, it attracted many tourists and students to come and experience it. In the creative workshop, a young artist was creating an oil painting with the theme of Siheyuan. He said to the person next to him: "This workshop is great. Here I can feel the strong cultural atmosphere of Siheyuan, which gives me a lot of creative inspiration. I want to express the tranquility of Siheyuan and the hustle and bustle of modern cities through the contrast of colors and lines." A student who participated in the traditional culture experience course said to the teacher excitedly: "Teacher, I learned how to make Siheyuan paper-cuts today, and I also learned how the drainage system of Siheyuan is designed. It's so interesting. I will tell my classmates when I go back and let them come here to learn too. "The successful operation of the practice base has further enhanced the influence and inheritance and innovation capabilities of Siheyuan culture. It has not only become a new highlight of local cultural education and tourism, but also attracted other regions to come and learn from it, laying a solid foundation for the dissemination and development of Siheyuan culture on a wider scale, continuing the glorious chapter of Siheyuan cultural inheritance and innovation, becoming a vivid example of the integration and development of traditional culture and modern society, and inspiring more cultural heritage protection areas to explore multiple paths for sustainable development.

"Siheyuan Storm" With the vigorous development of the "Siheyuan Cultural Heritage Innovation Practice Base", its influence has gradually penetrated into the surrounding business fields. Some keen merchants have realized that the unique charm and profound heritage of Siheyuan culture can inject new vitality and value into commercial products. As a result, a series of commercial cooperation projects with Siheyuan culture as the theme came into being. A well-known catering company found Siheyuan, hoping to cooperate to build a restaurant with Siheyuan characteristics. When discussing the details of the cooperation with the residents of the Siheyuan, the manager of the catering company said: "We want to integrate the cultural elements of the Siheyuan into the design and dishes of the restaurant in all aspects. In terms of the environment layout of the restaurant, the courtyard layout of the Siheyuan is used as a model to create a dining space that is private yet transparent. Old photos of the Siheyuan and traditional calligraphy and painting works can be hung on the walls, and the tables and chairs are made of solid wood furniture with traditional style, so that customers feel as if they are dining in a real Siheyuan. In terms of dishes, we will deeply explore the traditional food culture of the Siheyuan and launch some representative dishes. For example, based on the family banquet recipes of the Siheyuan in the past, we have improved and innovated the 'Siheyuan Family Banquet Set Meal' that suits the tastes of modern people, including traditional braised pork, sweet and sour carp, etc., but the cooking methods and plating will be more refined and novel." Aunt Zhao, a resident, asked: "Will these traditional dishes lose their original taste in the process of improvement?" The manager quickly explained: "Don't worry, Aunt Zhao. Our team of chefs will innovate while preserving the flavor of traditional dishes. We will invite some Siheyuan elders to taste and guide us, ensuring that every dish can inherit the essence of Siheyuan cuisine while meeting the needs of modern people for health, beauty and diverse tastes." At the same time, a cultural and creative product company also saw the commercial potential of Siheyuan culture. They plan to cooperate with Siheyuan to develop a series of high-quality cultural and creative products. The designer of the cultural and creative company said to the residents: "We plan to design some accessories inspired by the architectural elements of the Siheyuan, such as necklaces and earrings shaped like the door knockers and window lattice patterns of the Siheyuan. They are made of exquisite metal materials and processed with fine craftsmanship to make them both fashionable and highlight the cultural characteristics of the Siheyuan. There is also a stationery series with the theme of Siheyuan life scenes. For example, the cover of the notebook depicts the four seasons of the Siheyuan, and the inside pages are printed with traditional poems and proverbs of the Siheyuan, so that users can feel the influence of the Siheyuan culture while writing and recording." Xiao Ming thought for a moment and said: "These cultural and creative products sound good, but how can we ensure the quality of the products and the accurate expression of the cultural connotations during the production process?" The designer replied: "We will cooperate with professional cultural scholars and craftsmen to conduct in-depth research and careful carving of each design element. In the production process, we will select high-quality raw materials and experienced manufacturers to strictly control the quality. In addition, we will attach a detailed introduction to the Siheyuan culture on the product packaging so that consumers can better understand the cultural story behind the product." In the process of promoting the commercial cooperation project, the residents of Siheyuan also actively participated in it. Grandpa Li, who is good at calligraphy, wrote the plaque and menu for the restaurant. He said to the staff of the catering company: "This calligraphy is an important part of Siheyuan culture. I use traditional calligraphy fonts to write the menu, so that customers can feel the rich cultural atmosphere when ordering dishes." In the design process of cultural and creative products, residents took out their own collections of old objects and old photos to provide inspiration for designers. A resident said to the designer: "This photo is a scene of the New Year in Siheyuan when I was a child. Look at the red lanterns in the yard and the smiles on people's faces. Isn't it very contagious? Maybe this scene can be used in the design of a cultural and creative product." When the Siheyuan theme restaurant opened and the cultural and creative products were launched, they were warmly welcomed by the market. In the restaurant, a customer said to his companion: "It is a unique experience to dine here. Not only are the dishes delicious, but the environment is full of cultural charm. The braised pork in this 'Siheyuan Family Banquet Set' is fat but not greasy, melts in the mouth, and tastes authentic and innovative, which makes people have endless aftertaste." In front of the sales counter of cultural and creative products, a young consumer picked up a necklace shaped like a Siheyuan window lattice and said: "This necklace is so beautiful and has a unique design. Wearing it, I feel like a disseminator of Siheyuan culture, and it can be matched with various clothes, which is very fashionable." The success of these commercial cooperation projects has not only brought considerable economic benefits to businesses, but also opened up new ways for the dissemination of Siheyuan culture. Through the combination of Siheyuan and business, more people have been exposed to and understood Siheyuan culture in their daily lives, further enhancing its popularity and influence in modern society. It continues to write a glorious chapter, becoming a model for the coordinated development of culture and business, providing a useful reference for the inheritance and innovation of other traditional cultures, and constantly exploring and moving forward in the wave of cultural industries, blooming a more dazzling light.

"Siheyuan Storm" After the Siheyuan commercial cooperation project achieved remarkable results, Siheyuan ushered in new opportunities and challenges - to carry out in-depth cooperation with university scientific research teams to jointly explore the application value of Siheyuan culture in the fields of environmental science and sustainable development. A scientific research team from the Department of Environmental Science of a well-known university came to the Siheyuan to share their research plan with the residents: "Siheyuan, as a unique traditional architectural form, its spatial layout, building materials and harmonious symbiosis with nature have provided rich materials for modern environmental science research. We intend to start with the microclimate regulation function of the Siheyuan and study how to apply its principles to modern urban architectural design to achieve the goal of energy conservation and emission reduction. For example, the courtyard layout of the Siheyuan can effectively promote air circulation, form a natural ventilation and cooling effect in summer, and reduce heat loss in winter. We will accurately analyze the thermal environment, wind environment and other parameters of the Siheyuan through a combination of field monitoring and computer simulation, and then develop an optimized design model suitable for modern buildings." Resident Uncle Zhang asked curiously: "Your research sounds very profound, so what practical benefits does it have for our Siheyuan?" The professor of the research team patiently explained: "Uncle Zhang, through this research, we can provide a scientific basis for the protection and renovation of the Siheyuan. For example, when repairing the Siheyuan, we can choose more suitable building materials and thermal insulation measures based on the research results, which can not only improve the living comfort of the Siheyuan, but also reduce energy consumption. At the same time, it can also enable the Siheyuan to better adapt to modern climate change and extend its service life." During the research process, the research team worked closely with the residents. A young researcher said to the resident Master Li: "Master Li, when we monitored the thermal conductivity of the building materials of the Siheyuan, we found that the insulation effect of this old brick wall was very good. Can you tell us about the construction process of this brick wall? Maybe it can give us inspiration to develop new environmentally friendly building materials." Master Li introduced in detail: "This brick wall, when it is laid, the brick joints are even, and the mortar used is also in a certain ratio. In addition, the craftsmen in the past would add some broken straw and other things to the wall to enhance the toughness and thermal insulation of the wall." As the research deepened, the research team also turned its attention to the rainwater collection and utilization system of the Siheyuan. A graduate student said to the residents, "We found that the drainage system of the Siheyuan is cleverly designed and can effectively collect rainwater for courtyard irrigation, etc. We want to further optimize this system and combine it with modern rainwater purification technology so that it can meet more water needs, such as flushing toilets, washing cars, etc. This can greatly improve the utilization rate of water resources and has important demonstration significance in the context of tight urban water resources." Resident Xiao Wang asked, "Will this renovation affect the original drainage style of the Siheyuan?" The graduate student replied, "No. We will carry out the renovation while respecting the original drainage pattern of the Siheyuan. For example, use concealed rainwater collection devices and install purification equipment in inconspicuous places to maintain the overall beauty of the Siheyuan as much as possible." After the news of the cooperation between the Siheyuan and university scientific research teams spread, some environmental protection companies also took the initiative to come to the door, hoping to participate in related projects. The head of an environmental protection company said to the residents of the Siheyuan: "Our company has rich experience in the use of renewable energy. We can cooperate with the scientific research team to install solar panels on the roof of the Siheyuan to convert solar energy into electricity to supplement the daily electricity consumption of the Siheyuan. At the same time, combined with energy storage equipment, a stable supply of energy can be achieved. This is in line with the sustainable development concept of the Siheyuan and can also demonstrate the application effect of new environmental protection technologies." After thinking about it, the resident representative responded: "This is a good idea, but the installation location and appearance design of the solar panels must be coordinated with the style of the Siheyuan and cannot destroy the overall beauty of the Siheyuan." The person in charge nodded quickly: "Don't worry, we will specially design solar panels suitable for the architectural style of the Siheyuan, and use an integrated installation method to make it look like a part of the Siheyuan building." As the research results of the university scientific research team gradually emerge and the cooperation projects with environmental protection companies are promoted, the Siheyuan has become a practical model of environmental science and sustainable development. Many architectural design units and urban planning departments have come to visit and learn. After the visit, an architectural designer said to the professor of the scientific research team: "Your research results have provided us with a good idea for incorporating traditional cultural elements and sustainable development concepts into modern architectural design. We can learn from the microclimate regulation and resource utilization model of the Siheyuan to create more green, environmentally friendly, and culturally rich architectural works." The professor smiled and said: "Siheyuan is the crystallization of the wisdom of our ancestors. Through the excavation and innovative application of modern science and technology, it will continue to play an important role in the new era and contribute to solving urban environmental problems and promoting sustainable development." Through cooperation with university scientific research teams and environmental protection companies, Siheyuan has once again expanded its development dimension, taken solid steps on the road of integrating cultural heritage with modern technology and environmental protection concepts, continued to write a glorious chapter, and became a model for the integrated development of traditional architectural culture and modern science and technology, provided valuable experience and inspiration for global urban construction and cultural heritage protection, and inspired more forces to devote themselves to the great cause of the coordinated advancement of traditional culture and modern civilization.