Siheyuan: Silly Pillar is Kind

After returning from the "Traditional Community Sustainable Development Summit", the influence of the Siheyuan community has spread like a ripple, attracting the attention of domestic technology giants. A company that has been deeply involved in the smart home field for many years took the initiative to visit the community, hoping to cooperate with the Siheyuan community to jointly create a "Siheyuan Smart Home Life Model Area", deeply integrating the traditional living culture of the Siheyuan with cutting-edge smart home technology, creating a new living experience model, and once again leading the trend of integrating tradition and modernity. Mr. Wang, the company's technical R&D director, led his team to have an initial meeting with the Siheyuan community representatives and elaborated on the vision of cooperation: "We plan to fully deploy the smart home system in the Siheyuan, and carry out all-round upgrades in multiple aspects, from smart security, smart lighting, smart temperature control to smart home appliance control. For example, in the smart security system, we will install high-definition cameras, smart door locks, door and window sensors and other devices. These devices are interconnected through the Internet of Things. Residents can check the security status of their homes at any time through mobile phone apps. Once there is an abnormal situation, the system will immediately send an alarm notification." Uncle Zhao from the Siheyuan community asked with some concern: "Will installing so many high-tech gadgets infringe on our privacy? I don't want to be watched all day long." Mr. Wang quickly explained: "Uncle Zhao, don't worry. We attach great importance to user privacy protection. All smart devices use the most advanced encryption technology, and data transmission and storage strictly comply with relevant privacy regulations. Only family members authorized by residents can access device data, and this data is only used to ensure family safety and improve the living experience, and will never be abused or leaked." In the design of the smart lighting system, Xiao Li, an engineer of the company, said: "We will set up a variety of lighting modes according to the different spaces and functional requirements of the courtyard. For example, in the courtyard, you can set a romantic moonlight mode, and the light brightness and color simulate the effect of moonlight, creating a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere; in the living room, there can be reading mode, party mode, etc. Residents can easily switch lighting scenes by voice commands or mobile phone operations. Moreover, the smart lighting system can automatically adjust the brightness according to the indoor light intensity to achieve a perfect balance between energy saving and comfort." Xiao Wang, a young resident of the community, asked curiously: "What if there is a power outage, won't these smart lighting systems be useless?" Xiao Li replied: "Xiao Wang, we have considered this. The smart home system will be equipped with a backup power supply, which can maintain the short-term operation of key equipment during a power outage to ensure that basic lighting and safety functions are not affected. At the same time, we are also developing some self-generated smart lighting equipment, such as lamps charged by solar panels, which can provide a certain lighting guarantee for the courtyard even in the event of a long power outage." Mr. Wang went on to introduce the intelligent temperature control system: "By installing temperature and humidity sensors in each room of the courtyard, the system can sense the indoor temperature and humidity in real time and automatically adjust the operation of air conditioners, heaters and other equipment. In addition, our intelligent temperature control system can learn the living habits of residents and automatically adjust the temperature settings according to different time periods and seasons. For example, on winter nights, it will raise the bedroom temperature to a suitable temperature for sleeping in advance, so that residents can feel warm and comfortable as soon as they enter the room." Aunt Li from the community asked: "Is this intelligent temperature control system accurate? I'm afraid it will adjust the temperature randomly, which will make people uncomfortable." Mr. Wang smiled and said: "Aunt Li, our temperature and humidity sensors use high-precision chips that can accurately sense environmental changes. Moreover, the system will continuously calibrate and optimize itself during operation, and adjust the temperature control strategy in time according to the feedback of residents. If you feel that the temperature is not suitable, you can also adjust it manually at any time through the mobile phone APP, which is very convenient." In terms of intelligent home appliance control, the company plans to gradually upgrade traditional home appliances in the courtyard to intelligent home appliances. Engineer Xiao Zhang said: "Home appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and TVs can be controlled intelligently. Residents can remotely start the washing machine to wash clothes, turn on the air conditioner for cooling or heating before going home from get off work, and search for TV programs in the living room through voice commands. We will also integrate these smart appliances with the smart home system to achieve one-click scene linkage. For example, when you turn on the 'movie viewing mode', the TV automatically turns on, the lights dim, and the curtains close, creating a perfect home theater atmosphere. "Chen, the cultural consultant of the Siheyuan community, said: "In the process of integrating smart home technology, the original cultural charm and architectural style of the Siheyuan must not be destroyed. This must be guaranteed." Mr. Wang nodded and said: "Mr. Chen, your reminder is very important. Our design team will fully consider the architectural structure and aesthetic characteristics of the Siheyuan during the equipment installation and line laying process, and try to use concealed installation methods to make smart devices harmonious and unified with the overall environment of the Siheyuan. For example, the appearance of the smart camera will be designed to be similar to the style of traditional architectural decoration, and the smart switch will also use a retro-style panel to integrate it into the cultural atmosphere of the Siheyuan. "With the gradual advancement of the "Siheyuan Smart Home Life Model Area" project, Siheyuan residents have also actively participated in it and put forward many valuable opinions and suggestions. During the experience activity after the completion of the project, a resident said excitedly: "This smart home system is amazing! I used to think that Siheyuan was an old house, but I didn't expect it to become so smart and comfortable now. I feel that the quality of life has improved a lot, and it also retains the traditional cultural characteristics of Siheyuan. It really kills two birds with one stone!" Another resident also said: "Yes, you can control everything at home through your mobile phone, and you don’t have to worry about the safety and electrical equipment at home when you go out. This is the charm of the combination of tradition and modernity! "The successful creation of the "Siheyuan Smart Home Life Model Area" has once again made Siheyuan the focus of everyone's attention, attracting many real estate developers, home furnishing companies and other traditional communities to visit and learn. Siheyuan communities continue to write a brilliant chapter in the field of integration of tradition and modern technology, providing new ideas and examples for the development of the smart home industry, and promoting more traditional living spaces to move towards intelligence, comfort, cultural inheritance and innovative development. It has become a landmark achievement in the rejuvenation of traditional residential culture in the new era, and has inspired people to continuously explore the infinite possibilities of the integration of tradition and modernity.

"Siheyuan Storm" After the "Siheyuan Smart Home Life Model Area" attracted widespread attention, the Siheyuan community ushered in a new development opportunity - cooperating with a well-known cultural film and television group to shoot a large-scale historical and cultural documentary with Siheyuan as the background. This documentary aims to trace the origin and development of Siheyuan, show its social and cultural significance in different historical periods, and its close connection with Chinese traditional thoughts and folk customs, so that more people can have a deeper understanding of the profound heritage behind Siheyuan, a unique cultural symbol. Director Zhang of the Cultural Film and Television Group led the creative team to the Siheyuan and had in-depth exchanges with cultural experts and old residents in the community. Director Zhang said: "Our documentary will use a combination of real-life shooting and historical data to present the story of the Siheyuan in all aspects. From the ancient times when Siheyuan was the residence of aristocrats and officials, to the modern times when it gradually entered the homes of ordinary people, each stage has rich historical connotations. We hope that by showing the architectural details, interior decoration and lifestyle of the Siheyuan, the audience will feel as if they have traveled through time and space and personally experienced the changes of the Siheyuan." Professor Zhao, a cultural expert in the community, suggested: "When shooting the ancient part, we must pay attention to the research and reference of historical documents. For example, regarding the architectural regulations of Siheyuan in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the court had strict hierarchical restrictions, from the number and height of the houses to the style and decoration of the gates, which can reflect the social hierarchy at that time. If these details can be accurately presented, it will greatly increase the historical weight of the documentary." Director Zhang nodded and said, "Professor Zhao, don't worry. Our team has invited a number of historians as consultants. They will supervise the entire filming process to ensure the accuracy of the historical content. In addition, we also plan to use special effects technology to recreate some disappeared courtyard house architectural scenes, such as the grand banquet scenes in the ancient royal courtyard houses, so that the audience can more intuitively appreciate the prosperity of the time." The filming plan involves the presentation of the lives of modern residents of the courtyard houses. A young screenwriter said to Grandpa Li, a resident, "Grandpa Li, we want to record some clips of your daily life in the Siheyuan in the documentary, such as you practicing Tai Chi in the courtyard every morning and chatting and drinking tea with neighbors. Do you think it's okay?" Grandpa Li replied with a smile, "Of course. These are the norm of life in our Siheyuan. It's good to let everyone see the human touch in the Siheyuan. But don't make me look too ugly." The screenwriter smiled and said, "Uncle Li, don't worry, we will record these moments with the most real and beautiful shots. Moreover, we also want to use these modern life scenes to reflect the inheritance and continuation of Siheyuan culture in contemporary society. Although times are changing, the harmonious neighbors and adherence to traditional culture in the Siheyuan remain unchanged." During the filming process, the creative team also conducted in-depth discussions on how to show the folk elements in Siheyuan culture. Folk consultant Mr. Wang said to the director: "The folk culture of the Siheyuan is rich and colorful. For example, the ancestor worship ceremony during the Spring Festival and the traditional customs of weddings and funerals are all very precious shooting materials. We can invite some family elders to personally demonstrate the process of these customs, and explain in detail the meaning and details, so that the audience can better understand the connotation of the Siheyuan folk culture." Director Zhang asked: "But these folk rituals are often more complicated. Will it be difficult to shoot? For example, lighting, scene scheduling and other aspects." Teacher Wang replied: "This does require careful arrangements. We can choose to shoot in open and representative places such as the main house or courtyard of the Siheyuan, and use a combination of natural light and some auxiliary lights to create a suitable atmosphere. In scene scheduling, we must plan the actors' movements and props placement in advance to ensure that the entire ceremony can be filmed smoothly." As the filming of the documentary progressed, some children from the community were also attracted. A child asked the photographer curiously: "Uncle, what's the point of taking these photos?" The photographer squatted down and explained patiently: "Children, Siheyuan is a very important cultural heritage of our country. Through this documentary, more people can know the story of Siheyuan and understand our traditional culture, so that the Siheyuan culture can be passed on." When the documentary was finally completed and broadcast on TV stations and online platforms, it aroused strong repercussions from all walks of life. A viewer left a message on social media: "After watching this documentary, I truly understood that the Siheyuan is not just a few houses, it is a living history book that carries countless historical memories and cultural emotions. From the glory of ancient times to the persistence of modern times, the story of the Siheyuan is touching and makes people have a deeper respect for Chinese traditional culture." Cultural scholar Professor Sun also commented: "This documentary is of great significance in cultural communication. It takes the Siheyuan as the starting point and deeply explores the connection between traditional Chinese residential culture and society, thought, folk customs and other aspects. It provides rich materials for traditional cultural research and new ideas for cultural inheritance and innovation. Through cooperation with film and television culture, the Siheyuan community has once again opened up a new way for the dissemination of traditional culture, continued to write a glorious chapter, and become a model work combining cultural inheritance and film and television creation. It will inspire more cultural heritage sites to explore diversified cultural communication methods."

The hit documentary "Siheyuan Fengyun" has deeply impressed the cultural charm of Siheyuan in the hearts of the audience and also attracted the attention of many teachers and students from art schools. The art department of a famous art school decided to use Siheyuan as a sketching practice base and regularly organize students to come for field creation, aiming to let young art students experience the unique charm of Siheyuan in person and draw inspiration for their creations, while also injecting new artistic vitality and modern perspectives into Siheyuan culture. Professor Chen, the head of the art department, led the first batch of students to Siheyuan and exchanged ideas with community leaders. Professor Chen said: "We hope that students can observe the architectural structure, light and shadow changes, color matching and the life of the residents of the courtyard house in depth. Through sketches, watercolors, oil paintings and other painting forms, the beauty of the courtyard house is displayed. This is not only an artistic creation practice, but also a cultural heritage journey." The community leader, Brother Zhang, responded: "Students are very welcome to come here to sketch. Every corner of the courtyard house has a unique scenery, such as the mottled walls, exquisitely carved doors and windows, and winding corridors, which are all good creative materials. Moreover, the residents are also very enthusiastic, and students can ask them any questions at any time." During the sketching process, a student said to the resident Grandma Wang: "Grandma Wang, the stone pier at the door of your house is really interesting, and the carvings on it are particularly exquisite. I want to draw it. Can you tell me what is so particular about this stone pier?" Grandma Wang smiled and said, "This stone pillar has been in our courtyard for many years. The carvings on it all have meanings. For example, the bat pattern represents good fortune; and the ruyi-shaped pattern means everything goes well. In the past, this stone pillar was also a symbol of status. The sizes and styles of stone pillars of different families are different." The student said gratefully, "Grandma Wang, you know a lot. After listening to you, I am more interested in this stone pillar. I must paint it well and express these cultural connotations through the picture." When Professor Chen was inspecting the students' works, he said to a student who was painting the courtyard of the courtyard, "The composition of your painting is very good, and it shows the sense of space of the courtyard very well. But you can be bolder in the use of colors. Look at the plants in this courtyard. The colors change a lot in different seasons and different light. You can try to use brighter and richer colors to express this vitality and vigor." The student humbly replied, "Professor, I really didn't pay much attention to this before. I will modify it according to your suggestions to make the picture more vivid." As the sketching activities continued, some students' works began to be exhibited in schools and communities. At the exhibition, an art critic said to Professor Chen: "These students' works are very creative. They did not simply depict the external form of the Siheyuan, but incorporated their understanding of the Siheyuan culture and their perception of the collision between modern life and traditional culture. For example, this painting combines the traditional elements of the Siheyuan with modern abstract lines to create a unique visual effect." Professor Chen said with satisfaction: "Yes, we hope that students can innovate on the basis of inheriting traditional culture. The Siheyuan provides them with a broad creative stage, allowing them to freely explore the path of integration of art and culture." After a sketching session, the students and community residents jointly held a small cultural exchange event. A student performed a modern dance. He said: "During the time I was sketching in the Siheyuan, I felt the tranquility and harmony here, and also saw the integration of traditional culture and modern life. My dance is to express my understanding of this integration. The traditional heritage is like the foundation of dance, and the modern elements are the innovative forms of dance." The residents applauded. A resident said: "This dance is really good. It allows us to see the vitality of young people and their new interpretation of our Siheyuan culture." The collaborative sketching activities between art schools and Siheyuan not only allow students to harvest rich creative achievements, but also allow Siheyuan culture to be newly inherited and developed in the artistic creation of the younger generation. The Siheyuan community has once again become a hot spot for cultural and artistic exchanges, continuing to write a brilliant chapter in the field of cultural education and artistic innovation interaction, providing a vivid case for the modern artistic transformation of traditional culture, and inspiring more art institutions and cultural venues to carry out similar cooperation and jointly promote the diversified development and prosperity of traditional culture in the new era.