An Inspiration on Contemporary Green Building: Suitability-oriented Design in Treatise on Superfluous Things

Treatise on Superfluous Things by Wen Zhenheng has been viewed as the masterpiece concerning the 12 necessary aspects of literati life in late Ming dynasty. Based on Treatise on Superfluous Things, this research aims to explore the conception of suitability-oriented design. According to the methodology of design and art, the paper profoundly analyzes the location, function and environment of building aesthetics, and focuses on the suitable, appropriate and applicable design standards. By inheriting the design conception of gardening in Late Ming, some innovative skills are proposed to stimulate the sustainable development of contemporary green building.