A Preliminary Study on the Construction of the Shuifa Building in Prince Kung’s Palace

The Shuifa Building within Prince Kung’s Palace stands as a rare indoor garden landscape relic in China, possessing immense historical significance and distinctive artistic traits. To a considerable degree, it reflects the ideological aspirations of its designers and constructors to encapsulate the socio-economic landscape and prevailing aesthetic sensibilities of the mid to late Qing dynasty. Within the realm of Qing dynasty imperial residences and garden, it holds unparalleled value. This paper undertakes a preliminary exploration of the Shuifa Building’s construction era, design philosophy, artistic characteristics, and other facets, drawing upon existing research and accessible archival materials to date. Through multifaceted comparisons with similar structures, it propose subsequent preservation and restoration strategies. It aims to furnish a foundation for future research and utilization endeavors pertaining to the Shuifa Building, providing a reference point for the formulation of research and conservation plans targeted at heritage sites of comparable architectural merits.