Ganxi Mansion--"Ninety Nine and A Half Rooms"

    A residential building in Jiangsu Province, China, also known as Ganxi Mansion, which integrates the characteristics of the north and south, commonly known as "ninety-nine and a half rooms.". Ganxi Mansion covers an area of over 9500 square meters, with a construction area of 8000 square meters. 

    In fact, Ganxi Mansion is composed of four groups of closely adjacent multi entry hall style ancient buildings. The buildings face north and south, integrating the architectural features of the north and south. Until now, Ganxi Mansion still has high scientific, historical, and tourist value.

    The layout of the north-south vertical space is rigorous, while the east-west horizontal space appears relatively gentle, making the architectural community inside the residential garden rich and varied. However, the buildings on the central axis are arranged in a symmetrical pattern, which shows clear priorities, low front and high back, and low middle and high sides. The neat house is a combination of multiple courtyards, which belongs to the typical four-water Guitang style in the south. At the same time, it can also be seen that the Gan family's family concept of gathering as the foundation can be seen.

    The buildings in the courtyard include interior halls, lobbies, sedan halls, entrance halls, etc., as well as the allocation of service rooms, spare rooms, kitchens, servant rooms, master rooms, etc. Although there are a total of 99 and a half rooms in these building communities. However, it is puzzling that only one main entrance is left, and tourists who want to enter the homestead must pass through this entrance. This is also to reflect the traditional concept of unity among Chinese families and the prohibition of establishing separate portals. Several groups of houses eventually lead to the garden in the southeast corner of the homestead. Inside the garden, there are a variety of flowers and trees, with bridges built to create paths, water arranged, and mountains stacked, highlighting the construction concept of a large mansion with solid front and virtual back.

    The floor coverings, partitions, railings, ceilings, Liang Fang, doors and windows of the Ganxi Mansion are all decorated with brick and wood carvings, with rich themes, including myths and legends, folk tales, characters, beasts, flowers and birds, and characters, which symbolize auspiciousness and have exquisite patterns.