DURING the 1920s, various foreign architectural trends spread to China, accompanied by new schools of thought. Meanwhile, China's urbanization advanced rapidly. Residential buildings and public edifices were built on a far larger scale than in previous years.

Shanghai was the centre of the architectural upsurge in the 1930s, where design houses and construction units converged. The urgent demand for buildings and the conflict between Chinese and foreign cultures brought about the idea of holding the first architectural exhibition in China.

The completion of the former Shanghai Museum at the end of 1935 provided a favourable place for the exhibition. It encouraged some officials, architects and engineers, who paid close attention to the event, to quicken their procedures so as to hold the exhibition in Shanghai.

All exhibits were collected from social circles. Contributors had to pay all expenses on their own, such as, construction and transportation fees. Only exhibits that were transported long distance at a large would be considered for subsidies. Nevertheless, this event still roused an enthusiastic response in the architectural field around China.

Participants busied themselves making models of famous and representative buildings from different parts of the country and selecting designs, photos and architectural materials. After only one month, thousands of exhibits had been sent to the exhibition. Ultimately, 1,580 exhibits were displayed after careful selection by experts.

The exhibition was scheduled to be opened in the afternoon of April 12, 1936. However, a large number of visitors waited in front of the gate from the morning. Therefore, the exhibition had to be opened in advance. All the exhibits were classified into six categories: models, designs, books, photographs, materials and tools.

Entering the hall of the museum, visitors could see a large and exquisite model of the Avalokitesvara Tower. It was said that 180 carvers were employed to finish this work. A model of the Summer Place was set at the back of the hall, where visitors lingered, placing themselves in old Beijing. In the hall models on carved brackets, representing buildings from different dynasties, could also be found. The second floor of the museum mainly focused on modern architecture. Since Shanghai hosted much excellent modern architecture, many exhibits there were about Shanghai.

The first architectural exhibition lasted eight days, until April 19. Even on the last day, visitors flowed into the museum. When it was closed, hundreds of visitors from Suzhou asked for it to be extended.

For Chinese architecture, the 1930s were years of thought and exploration. Architects took cognizance of the present situation and development of China's architecture. If no unique architectural style was established, it would lead to a serious crisis of national culture. In general exhibitions were based around their exhibits, but the first architectural exhibition displayed the great achievements of China's ancient and modern architecture. Many positive suggestions were put forward on the basis of the exhibition. In China's architectural history, this short event held a profound significance.

(The author is from the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences)