Yang Sisheng
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Yang Sisheng (simplified Chinese: 杨斯盛; traditional Chinese: 楊斯盛; Wade–Giles: Yang Ssu-sheng, 1851–1908[1]) was a Chinese bricklayer-turned-architect best known for being the leader of the first modern Chinese construction company in Shanghai. He also used his personal wealth to build many schools in the city.
Yang was born in Chuansha in the outskirts of Shanghai to a family of carpenters.[2] Orphaned in his early years, he became a stonemason in Shanghai at age 13.[1]
Construction works
Yang worked for Palmer & Turner Group as a full-time craftsman,[3] and was familiar with western-style blueprints and contracts.[2] In 1880, Yang registered the first native construction company, Yang Rui Tai Co. (楊瑞泰營造廠), in the Shanghai French Concession.[3]
A year later, during the construction of the Customs House II, the Italian builder quit the piling task due to soft soil and rising underground water. As the subcontractor, Yang studied and experimented with the soil, and finally succeeded with the piling work. Later, he took over the entire building project.[3] When the building was constructed in 1893, his reputation was established in both the Chinese and foreign sections in Shanghai.[2]
In 1904, he established the Jui Ho Brick and Tile Company, Ltd., China's first modern brick and tile company.[4]