Zhu Qiqian, founder of Zhongguo Yingzao Xueshe (Society for Research in Chinese Architecture)， had a huge influence on the First Generation of Chinese architectural historians, especially through the systematic framework of architectural history research he established. Scholars like Shan Shiyuan absorbed Zhu’s thoughts. The paper first expounds how Shan inherited Zhu’s academic ideas, suggesting that Shan’s understanding of Chinese architectural history was based on Zhu’s understanding of “construction theory” and “communicating with craftsmen and scholars” but elaborated from Shan’s own social-historical perspective. The paper then analyzes how Shan enriched Zhu’s thoughts on the protection of historical architecture when Shan was in charge of the conservation work at the Palace Museum after the founding of the People’s Republic of China.