嶺南庭園正是清代處於中外交流迅速增加時期的表現。有別於中國古典江南園林，嶺南庭園設置於住宅之中、「宅園合一」，其規模相對江南園林小，但亦無阻嶺南庭園擁有豐富的設計元素。嶺南庭園「麻雀雖小，五臟俱全」，建築上有多種因應當地氣候而設計的特色，如以磚石鋪砌地面加快排水以解決嶺南多雨的問題。嶺南庭園的園藝設計亦展現本地特色，擺放本地特有或盛放的花草盆栽。 

​

除了保留傳統園林的造園思想及造景手法外，嶺南庭園更創新地融合不少西方元素，用充滿西方特色的彩色玻璃窗等作裝飾，以創新之態大放異彩。嶺南庭園展示中西文化交匯的歷史印記，呈現出與中國古典園林不同的風格，在中國園林中別具一格。

 

本次講座有幸邀請到本校導師及資深建築師李磷先生講解嶺南庭園的建築特色，帶觀眾走進中國現仍完整地保存的嶺南四大庭園——清暉園、可園、余蔭山房和群星草堂，了解嶺南庭園設計師如何在有限的空間打造舒適且具創意，卻又不失中國傳統特色的休憩空間。 

​

Lingnan garden emerged during the Qing dynasty when the cultural exchange between China and Western countries was rapidly growing. Unlike the Chinese classical Jiangnan garden, Lingnan garden was built within the residential area on a relatively smaller scale, yet this did not limit the variety of its design elements. Showing incredible scenery within limited space, the architectural designs of Lingnan Gardens were created according to their local climate and characteristics. Masonry was used to cover the ground to speed up the water-drainage process, tackling the rainy climate in the Lingnan area. The horticulture of Lingnan gardens also shows the local characteristics by placing potted flowers and plants of local cultivars.

​

Not only Lingnan garden keeps the traditional garden-design ideology and style, but it also shows Western architectural elements, such as using stained glass as decoration. Lingnan garden lives as the architectural embodiment of the Chinese and Western cultural exchange, showing a unique style that is different from classical Chinese gardens, making them stand out from the rest. 

​

It is an honour to have Mr Li Lin, an architect who has expertise in Chinese architecture, explain the architectural features of Lingnan garden and bring us along to a walk-through into the four prominent Lingnan Gardens: Ching Fai Garden, Ho Garden, Yuyum Sanfong and Qunxing Thatched Cottage. In this lecture, we can understand how the designers of Lingnan gardens built these recreation areas with creative yet traditional characteristics in a limited space. 

​

參考資料： 

鄭培凱、李磷主編：《文化遺產與集體回憶》，桂林：廣西師範大學出版社，2014。 

Richard, Josepha. “Uncovering the Garden of the Richest Man on Earth in Nineteenth-Century Canton: Howqua’s Garden in Honam, China.” Garden History 43, no. 2 (2015): 168–81.