While space and concept are the proposition of modern western architecture, CULTURE seems one of the strongest elements which dominate the Asian modern design society. It is so strong that even western architect like I M Pei , SOM would have turned to local culture-based ideas when carried out jobs in Asia . Why?  
 
First is the optimistic departure from the traditional environment. The motivation is generally to achieve better living condition, namely more sunshine, fresh air and organization. The irregular traditional setting was replaced by simple, straight and repeated ‘modern boxes’ (Asian call it ‘modernism’ but I need to clarify it is far away from its western origin. The one in Asia is just a simple and diagrammatic approach which is laid down according to the extremely basic functions.)  
 
About a decade later, this atmosphere softened. People accused ‘modernism’ of destroying their society as well as their living environment. Some architects began looking back to their tradition for inspiration. A lot of them took Charles Jencks ’ ‘Modernism is dying’,'post-modernism'as the theoretical arms. (My architectural education began in this period in China.)  
 
 
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I think that it good to architect to look back for inspiration on their tradition and than architecture or science, in general world civilization progress day after day, quit simple to difficult...