Research on the Application of Ecological Thoughts in Sustainable Design Within the Wisdom of Eastern Creation

Xu Yiming

 Royal Academy of Arts

Abstract：

This paper investigates the development of Eastern creative ecology from a "cultural symbol" to an "underlying principle" in design methods. Firstly, the study establishes the conceptual basis and theoretical foundation of Eastern creative knowledge, from which we extract three main principles: "harmony between heaven and man," "maximizing the use of materials," and "adjusting craftsmanship to the specific material." Then, it examines the problems encountered in the present application, such as misunderstanding of symbols, discontinuity in methods, and the gap between theory and practice. At last, the paper puts forward a comprehensive approach to incorporate Eastern ecological wisdom into sustainable design, including three aspects: development of a conceptual framework, methodological and tool development, and enlargement of practical application fields.

Key Words：

oriental creation; ecological philosophy; sustainable design; Harmony between Humanity and Nature; optimal utilization of resources; design ethics