CHINESE

ARCHITECTURE
Nathan Faller
HSTARC 3
DAR 1
 CHINESE ARCHITECTURE
Styles of Chinese ancient architecture are rich and varied, such as temples, imperial palaces,
altars, pavilions, official residencies and folk houses, which greatly reflect Chinese ancient
thought - the harmonious unity of human beings with nature.
Since ancient times, Chinese culture has been heavily influenced by conservative philosophies
like Confucianism, Taoism etc. Over the centuries, the structural principles of Chinese
architecture have remained largely unchanged, the main changes being on the decorative
details.
Traditional Chinese buildings are always found in pairs or groups, whether they are residences,
temples or palaces. Traditional Chinese architecture, unlike that of other cultures, uses wood-
frame construction as one of its most distinctive features.
HISTORICAL
BACKGROUND
CHINESE DYNASTY TIMELINE
THE CHARACTER AND
MEANING OF CLASSICAL
CHINESE ARCHITECTURE
THE AXIAL CITY PLAN AND
SITE PLAN
One of the great religious beliefs
that influenced the design of the
classical Chinese city and Chinese
architecture is Confucianism. In
order to create a stable social
order, Confucianism established
the strict doctrines putting the
society in order with rules and filial
piety.
THE MODULAR SYSTEM
One of the basic principles of
classical Chinese buildings is the
USE OF A MODULE, much like the
modular concept of prefabrication
in contemporary architecture.
Traditional Chinese carpenters
used JIAN a structured bay as
a standard unit to construct all
buildings. Jian was a rectangular
space marked by adjacent
structural frames. Jian, as the
basic interior unit, can be
expanded or repeated along the
architectural plan axis to join
together to create a hall, then a
building.
Odd numbers of Jian are allowed.
Even numbers are considered
unlucky.
THE EXPOSED STRUCTURE
In ancient China, almost all of the
main structures of classical Chinese
architecture were made of wood.
Thus, the art of traditional Chinese
architecture may be seen as the
aesthetic of wood.
 ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
DOUGONG MUGUIJA
Bracket sets Timber Frames
 ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES

TAIZI COURTYARD
Podium
 ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES

WU DING
Roof

1) Renzi Xuan Shan

2) Renzi Yin Shan
3) Juan Peng
4) Lu Ding
5) Fudian
6) Xie Shan
7) Conical Cuan Jian
8) Pyramidial Cuan Jian
9) Renzi with Parapet Wall
 METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION

TAI-LIANG CHUAN DUO

Pillars and Beam Pillar and Transverse Tie Beam
FENG SHUI
Qi(), the energy of the universe, is
carried in the wind and retained within
water. Both elements were used as a way of
directing Qi
Feng shui is not only a practice that is
related to physical space, but also to the
inhabitants of the space itself, as both are
interconnected.
The goal of feng shui guidelines is to locate
and orient dwellings, possessions, land and
landscaping, etc., so as to be attuned with
the flow of qi.
YIN AND YANG
Fundamental to feng shui is the idea
that yin and yang are the two basic
principles underlying all matter and
energy in the universe. These forces are
opposites, but are not in opposition.
Rather, they are complementary and
need each other to exist and flourish.
The constantly changing interactions of
yin and yang give rise to the infinite
variety of patterns in life.
Widely used in Taoism Architecture.
 BAGUA
The bagua (or pa kua) of the I Ching (Book of Changes) is an octagonal diagram used in feng shui analysis. Each direction on the
octagon (north, northeast, etc.) is associated with certain significant aspects. When one maps the bagua onto a home, village,
cemetery, etc., information about correct orientation and placement can allegedly be gleaned.
RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS
BUDDHISM
Buddhism was introduced to China from India around the
first century AD, since the fourth century AD, it was widely
spread and gradually became the most influential religion in
China.
Because of varied introduction time and channel as well as
regional, historic and social backgrounds, Buddhism in China
is divided into three branches, namely Chinese Buddhism,
Tibetan Buddhism and Pali Buddhism.
PAGODA
Pagoda, symbol of Buddhism is often erected in temples.
Pagodas were made of stone, wood, colored glaze or metal.
Pagodas have an odd number of layers. Seven-layer and Nine-
layer pagodas are commonly built.
The shape of cross-section is rectangular, eight-sided or even
circular.
Initially, the pagoda served as the central axis alongside which
rows of halls and monks' rooms spread out.Later, pagodas
were built near the main palace hall.
Chinese pagodas, in short, are a significant part of the
country's cultural heritage -with their beautiful shapes, bas-
relief carvings, dougong brackets and upturned eaves.
GROTTOES
Grotto, another type of Buddhist architecture, is often
chiseled into cliffs. In the 3rd century, Chinese Buddhists
began to build grottoes and Xinjiang is the first area where
grottoes were hewn.
Grottoes are decorated with painted sculptures, carvings and
frescos.
Craftsmen revealed real life pictures and their understanding
of society in these art works, which gave them great
historical and cultural value.
The four famous grottoes in China are: Mogao Caves, Longmen
Grottoes, Yungang Grottoes and Maiji Caves.
TEMPLE
Buddhist temples tend to be decorated in red or black, and
there is a main hall for a statue of a Bodhisattva, followed by a
smaller hall with statues of other Buddha's and deities.
Buddhist Temples are called Miao
STUPA
Stupas appeared in China with the import of Buddhism and,
during a long history of well over a thousand years, have
become a valued part of the national Buddhist art.
Stupa, a word from ancient Sanskrit meaning a square or
round tomb or a 'soul shrine.
The perfect proportions of the Buddhas body corresponds to
the design of religious monuments - STUPAS
Its architecture developed from the pre-Buddhist Indian grave-
mound.
Under these mounds the saintly ascetic were buried; their
bodies were seated on the ground and covered with earth.
These dome-shaped graves, or tumuli, of the saints were
regarded as holy places.
And were destinations for pilgrimage for the devotional and
places of practice for meditators.
LAMA TEMPLES
Lama Temples are Buddhism
temple found in Tibet.
It is where the seat of the Dalai
Lama is situated.
CONFUCIANISM
Confucius (551-479 BC) established the Confucian school of
thought around 500 BC, during China's Spring and Autumn
Period (770-476BC).
Confucianism became one of the pillars of Chinese culture, and
was named China's official state ideology around 100 BC,
during the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD) by Emperor Han Wudi,
who reigned from 140-87 BC.
CONFUCIAN IDEOLOGY
Confucian ideology was the core of feudal China's hierarchical
social system.
Traditional courtyard residences drew strict distinctions
between interior and exterior, superior and inferior, and male
and female; internal affairs and external affairs, the honorable
(master) and humble (maid) ranking.
The compounds were enclosed and isolated from the outside
world, and serving as material expressions of Confucian
ideology.
The chinese quadrangle buildings (known as Si He Yuan")
was highly influenced by Confucanism's rite.
TAOISM
Taoism is a religion native to China. Laozi, a famous thinker
living in 6th Century BC, established this philosophy and
came to be regarded as the father of Taoism.
It formed mainly during Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220).
Many Taoist ideas and thoughts are greatly reflected in
Taoist architecture.
TEMPLE
Taoist architecture applies two architectural styles -
traditional style and Ba-gua style.
In the traditional style, traditional architectural layout,
which is symmetric, was applied.
The second is the Bagua style in which all structures
surround the Danlu (stove to make pills of immortality) in the
center according to Bagua's position request.
A Statue of Dragon and Lion guards the gates of a Taoist
temple;
In the main hall, the four Heavenly Emperors in Taoism
replace the Buddha trinity and four Heavenly Kings in
Buddhism
FUNERAL BUILDINGS
QIN LING TOMB
The Mausoleum of the First Qin
Emperor. This mausoleum was
constructed over 38 years, from
246 to 208 BCE, and is situated
underneath a 76-meter-tall tomb
mound.
A terracotta army guards the
complex.
IMPERIAL PALACE
FORBIDDEN CITY
Situated in the heart of Beijing, the
Forbidden City is the world's largest
palace complex. It has lavishly
decorated ceremonial halls and
royal palaces. All the gates,
palace and other structures of the
Forbidden City were arranged
about the north-south central axis
of old Beijing
OTHER NOTABLE
STRUCTURES
GREAT WALL OF CHINA
The Great Wall of China is a series of
stone and earthen fortifications built
by a number of emperors to protect
the northern borders against nomadic
tribes.
TEMPLE OF HEAVEN
Temple of Heaven is not a single
building but a complex located in the
southern end of central Beijing.
The temple was used by the emperor
to make offerings to the heaven and
to prey for a good harvest.
SUMMER PALACE
Situated 13 Km northwest of central
Beijing, the Summer Palace is one of
the largest, best preserved, and most
interesting royal gardens in the world.
CLASSIFICATION BY STRUCTURES

Lou- Multistory Buildings

Tai- Terraces
Ting- Pavillions
Ge- Multistory Pavillion
Ta- Pagodas
Xuan- Verandas with Windows
Xie- Pavilions or Houses in Terraces
Wu- Rooms along roofed corridors
Gong- Palaces