Chinese Architecture

INTRODUCTION

China is one of the oldest continuing civilizations in the world.

Neolithic settlements, some of which date back almost 10,000 years ago, have been excavated in areas around the Yellow and Yangtze rivers.

Geographic locations of Neolithic cultures from approximately 8500-1500 BC

China Many Nations

55 different nationalities Predominantly Han Chinese

(Olive green color) Only 2.5 million

Tibetans(golden color) Mongolians (lilac color) Other minorities are small.

China - Geography

Western third mostly mountains, snow and desert very sparsely populated

Northern edge borders the Gobi Desert

South western part Tropical dense forest/jungle.

Remaining central and eastern zones are very diverse river valleys, plains, mountains, loess plateaus.

The cycle The dynastic cycle appears as follows: 1.A new ruler unites China, founds a new dynasty, and gains the Mandate(authority) of Heaven. 2.China, under the new dynasty, achieves prosperity. 3.The population increases. 4.Corruption becomes rampant(unwelcome) in the imperial court, and the empire begins to enter decline and instability. 5.A natural disaster wipes out farm land. The disaster normally would not have been a problem; however, together with the corruption and overpopulation, it causes famine(extreme scarcity of food).

Confucius lived during the turbulent times of the Zhou (pronounced Joe) Dynasty, during the Spring and Autumn period.

6.The famine causes the population to rebel and a civil war in result. 7.The ruler loses the Mandate of Heaven. 8.The population decreases because of the violence. 9.China goes through a warring states period. 10.One state emerges victorious. 11.The state starts a new empire. 12.The empire gains the Mandate of Heaven.

Kublai Khan founded the great Yuan Dynasty in 1271. This Mongolian-ruled empire was one of the largest the world has ever

known.

Three main periods:

1.The first is the beginning of the dynasty. 2.The second is at the middle of the dynasty's life and is the peak of the dynasty. 3.The last period is the decline of the dynasty, both politically and economically, until it finally collapses.

An ancient and modern civilization. A rich and complex history Superb cultural legacy The most populous nation on Earth Many nationalities Socialist government Very diverse landscapes Plants and Animals

Qin Shi Huangdis Terracotta Army

Overview

Religious Buddhism, Taoism, Islam Art painting, fabrics, sculpture,

furniture, etc. Architecture Philosophy Confucian thought

(ethical-sociopolitical teaching), etc. Music Beijing Opera Kites Wei Fang (historical city) kite

making tradition

General Architectural Character

Articulation Symmetry in buildings Detailing

Even columns odd bays

With the inclusion of a main door to a building in the centre bay, symmetry is maintained.

In contrast to the buildings, Chinese gardens are a notable exception which tend to be asymmetrical.

Contemporary Western architectural practices typically involve surrounding a building by an open yard on the property.

Traditional Chinese buildings no setbacks, buildings opened up in the inside

These enclosed spaces come in two forms

Courtyard Skywells

Courtyards : The use of open courtyards is a common feature in many types of Chinese architectures. Typical example of Siheyuan house, which consists of an empty space surrounded by buildings

connected with one another either directly or through verandas.

Courtyards :

Siheyuan house

Skywells :

Although large open courtyards are less commonly found in southern Chinese architecture, the concept of an "open space" surrounded by buildings, which is seen in northern courtyard complexes, can be seen in the southern building structure known as the "sky well".

This structure is essentially a relatively enclosed courtyard formed from the intersections of closely spaced buildings and offer small opening to the sky through the roof space from the floor up.

Temperature regulation Courtyards are typically open and facing the south to allow the maximum

exposure of the building windows and walls to the sun while keeping the cold northern winds out.

Southern sky wells are relatively small and serves to collect rain water from the roof tops.

They perform the same duties as Romans collecting rain water from open roof top while restricting the amount of sunlight that enters the building.

Why Courtyards and Skywells ?

Architectural features : Chinese design Principals in typical Architecture 1. Concept of Bilateral symmetry 2. Enclosure 3. Hierarchy 4. Horizontal Emphasis 5. Cosmology

The traditional skills of Chinese architecture, including major and minor carpentry, masonry, and stonemasonry, are still applied to the construction of vernacular architecture in the vast rural area in China.

Ancient Chinese Wooden Architecture. Religious Architecture Pagoda of Fogong Temple of Heaven pagoda

Chinese Architecture Design Techniques :

The Axial City plan and Site plan. The Alternation between the Architecture

Interiors and Exteriors space. The Modular System. The Exposed structure.