Chinese Classical Garden
The Chinese Classical Garden will be the centerpiece of the Asian Village Atlanta complex. Development of the authentic Chinese garden is to be funded by Suzhou, China, a city that has been renowned for its scenic garden landscapes for hundreds of years. The multi-million dollar donation was culminated by a visit from the delegation of Suzhou city officials to the Village’s Atlanta-based site.
On May 23, 2006, a garden donation ceremony was held at Gwinnett Center where Commissioner Craig Lesser, Georgia Department of Economic Development, accepted garden donation on the behalf of Governor Sonny Purdue, from Director Mr. Chiu from the City of Suzhou, China.
An Ancient Tradition
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Chinese Consulate General Support Letter |
Landscape design has been of great significance in Chinese culture for more than 2,500 years. The Chinese are masters at intermingling traditional landscape designs with the fine arts of painting, poetry, and calligraphy. Throughout history, Chinese emperors have bankrupted their dynasties in order to build expansive gardens purely for personal fulfillment. Still, the unique design innovated by the Chinese can be employed in even the simplest of gardens or it can be implemented on a grand-scale.
It is often said that Chinese gardens are built, not planted. In fact, very few plants are incorporated into their garden designs. Rather, the negative space is embraced and emphasized through the usage of elaborate walls, pavilions, bridges, and decorative pavements. This vastly different garden-style tends to bewilder Westerners, many of whom are unaware of the Chinese influence in the transformation of European garden layouts during the 18th century. This period marked a noticeable switch from rigid, symmetrical landscaping to the minimalist, natural form used by the Chinese.
Design
Yong Pan, the award-winning Chinese American architect, is the chief architect of Asian Village Atlanta. He was selected as the architect to design the famous CHINESE GARDEN in St. Louis at Missouri Botanical Garden, This garden is considered to be the most authentic of its size in the United States, and a showplace of extraordinary craftsmanship. With its debut in 1995, it became the first Chinese garden to be constructed in the United States.
Xiaodong Feng, the Chairman of Suzhou Traditional Architecture Association and the formal CEO of Suzhou classical Garden Construction Co. will be responsible for the construction of the Chinese Garden inside Asian Village. His company was also responsible for the construction of Chinese Gardens inside of the Metropolitan Museum in New York, and in the cities of Portland (Oregon), Orlando, Vancouver and Singapore.
Construction
The first phase of construction will begin in 2010 and will incorporate the main Garden and lake, as well as pavilions, bridges and a tea house where visitors can enjoy traditional refreshments. Projected in later phases are more than twenty major structures, including an interpretation hall, study rooms, a stage, and an education hall. The structures are designed principally in the style reflecting the classical Ming and Qing dynasties in Suzhou, China.
Fundraising for the First Phase continues, with a goal of $8 million. Development of future phases of the Chinese Garden will continue over a period of years; the estimated cost for completion has not been determined, but will probably exceed $10 million.
Other Subprojects
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