ABSTRACT
Yingzao Fashi, regulations for construction, was a book released by the imperial government of China in 1103 for controlling building practice across the country; it has attracted intense interest since the early twentieth century, when western ideas of “architectural history” arrived. Rivalling interpretations have been put forth. This chapter aims to clarify our understanding by examining the background, the layout, the writing, the content, and the effect of the book. It also discusses perspectives and methods for studying the project. The author argues for a reality-based understanding and contends that it was an effort aimed at budget control rather than design.
