IMAGES of gold phoenixes and fire-breathing dragons are as exotic and stereotypically Chinese as Suzie Wong standing in Wan Chai. And when nailed against a red column or wall, they become a postcard-perfect picture opportunity for the benefit of tourists.
But the essence of Chinese architecture is far more complex. While making vast profits remains the driving force behind architectural design, a debate on whether to incorporate traditional Chinese elements in modern buildings is gathering momentum.
As high-rises penetrate the sky in Hong Kong, China and developing countries throughout Asia, people are demanding a mixture of modern conveniences and culturally rich settings.
'The debate surrounds how to copy, how to adapt, and how to employ the spirit of traditional Chinese elements into modern-day buildings,' said Dr Ho Puay Peng, a lecturer in the Chinese University's architecture department.
'If you transplant a building into China from the West, the building might fail to address the people and their culture. I'm not saying we should not build skyscrapers in China, but we have to be sensitive,' he added.
Yet at the same time, it's difficult for architects to bypass modern demands. Escalators, air-conditioning, elevators and drainage systems are all essential for today's office buildings and shopping centres.