As a building component with both practical and aesthetic value, stone railings have significant differences in design principles and aesthetic expressions in ancient building restoration and modern garden landscape due to different functional requirements and cultural contexts.
The design of stone railings in ancient building restoration takes "repairing the old as it is" as the core principle, and must strictly follow the historical form, structural characteristics and craftsmanship of the original building. The restoration team needs to restore the original style, carving patterns and material characteristics of the railings through historical documents, archaeological materials and existing physical research, to ensure that the stone railings are consistent with the overall style of the ancient building and continue the historical and cultural context. The design of stone railings in modern garden landscapes emphasizes innovation. Designers will combine contemporary aesthetic trends and space requirements, break through the limitations of traditional forms, incorporate abstract art elements or modern geometric shapes, seek a new balance between function and form, and create landscape works that combine the characteristics of the times and regional culture.
The stone railings in the restoration of ancient buildings mainly undertake protection and decoration functions. The protection height and spacing must comply with the ancient building specifications. At the same time, as architectural detail decoration, they strengthen the grade and cultural attributes of the overall building. For example, the white marble railings of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City show the royal majesty through the exquisite cloud dragon carvings on the balusters and railings. In addition to the basic protective function, the stone railings in modern garden landscapes pay more attention to the interaction and experience with the environment. For example, the stone railings in the waterfront landscape may be designed as low railings or bench-style railings, which not only ensure safety but also provide a resting space for visitors; in mountain gardens, the railing design will be combined with the terrain trend to enhance the spatial guidance and the fun of the tour.
The restoration of ancient buildings requires that the stone railings materials are highly matched with the original materials. Traditional stone materials such as white marble, bluestone, granite, etc. are mostly used, and the processing technology needs to continue the ancient method, using hand-carving, mortise and tenon joints, etc., to ensure that the restored stone railings are integrated with the ancient buildings in texture, color and craftsmanship details. The stone railings in modern garden landscapes pay more attention to material innovation and process diversification. In addition to traditional stone materials, they also combine new materials such as glass, metal, and concrete. Through modern processes such as CNC engraving and prefabrication assembly, complex shapes and fine processing are achieved to meet diverse design needs while improving construction efficiency and durability.
The aesthetic expression of stone railings in ancient buildings is deeply rooted in traditional culture, and its patterns, shapes and architectural hierarchies are closely related. For example, stone railings in Buddhist buildings are often engraved with patterns such as lotus and curling grass to convey religious cultural connotations; the railings of residential buildings are mainly simple and plain, reflecting regional folk characteristics. The aesthetic expression of stone railings in modern garden landscapes is more open and inclusive. Designers will extract symbolic elements from traditional culture for deconstruction and reconstruction, or introduce international popular design concepts to create a visual effect that combines oriental artistic conception with modern aesthetics. For example, some gardens use minimalist stone railings, which use simple lines and large blocks of stone to create an ethereal and quiet space atmosphere.
The scale and proportion of stone railings in ancient buildings strictly follow the construction method, coordinate with the overall spatial scale of the building, and reflect the rigorous modular relationship. For example, the height and spacing of the pillars and balustrades of the Song-style railings are clearly regulated to ensure the sense of order and harmonious beauty of the architectural space. The scale design of stone railings in modern garden landscapes emphasizes humanization and will be flexibly adjusted according to the user population, functional requirements and spatial characteristics. For example, the stone railings in the children's activity area are relatively low in height, and the railing spacing is increased to ensure the safety of children; while the railings of the landscape trail are of moderate height and coordinated in proportion, which not only meets the protection needs but also does not affect the viewing field.
The color and texture of stone railings in ancient buildings mostly retain the natural characteristics of stone, and present a simple and solemn visual effect through surface treatment technology. For example, the white marble railings are warm and delicate after polishing, and the green stone railings present a calm and heavy texture. The stone railings in modern garden landscapes are richer in color and texture. In addition to retaining the original color of the stone, they also create unique visual effects through dyeing, coating, splicing and other techniques. For example, railings made of imitation wood grain stone can better integrate into the natural environment; stone railings with surface sandblasting can create a rough industrial texture.
The stone railings in the restoration of ancient buildings need to be highly integrated with the surrounding ancient buildings and courtyard environment to form a unified historical space atmosphere. Its location, form and style must comply with the overall protection plan of the ancient buildings. The stone railings in modern garden landscapes pay more attention to the organic integration with the natural environment and modern buildings, and emphasize the design concept of adapting to local conditions. Designers will flexibly adjust the shape, material and color of stone railings according to the site terrain, plant configuration and architectural style, making it an organic part of the landscape space. For example, in landscape gardens, stone railings can meander with streams and rocks to enhance the natural wildness; in urban parks, stone railings can echo the lines of modern buildings to show a simple and bright urban style.
