South East Asian Countries 86

CHINESE TEMPLE

JAPANESE

C A M B O D

BURMAN

TEMPLE

THAILAND

86

PADODA

ROYAL

PA LACE

Chinese Architeecture 87

CHINESE ARCHITECTURE
3rd CENTURY B.C. TO PRESENT

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

1. Structures were built in timber
2. Chief Structure are pai lou or Chinese gateways & pagodas or temples
3. Color plays a vital part in their structure.
4. They use Pantiles or s- tiles for their roofings.
5. They use tou- kong instead of a capital from their column.
6. Chinese Feng Sui belief in bldg. construction & layout w/ regards to their
spirited god the Yin & Yang, source of good luck & misfortune.
7. Pagodas height vary from 3 to 13 flr. Usually odd numbers.
FAMOUS BLDG. STRUCTURES :
a.
b.
c.

d.

GREAT WALLS OF CHINA by: SHI HUANG TI

GREAT ROYAL PALACE by: SHI HUANG TI
IMPERIAL PALACE forbidden city
TEMPLE OF THE SLEEPING BUDDHA

GATEWAYS IN CHINA

87

ILLUSTRATIONS:

Japanese Architecture 88

JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE
6 TH CENTURY A.D. TO PRESENT
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
PERIODS OF DEVELOPMENT :
1. ARCHAIC PERIOD Introduced the gussho type of construction based on
the principle of the rigidity of a triangle which formed the fundamental
structural system considered resistant to earthquakes.
2. ASOKA NARRA PERIOD
a.) ASOKA PERIOD predominant religion Buddhism.
e. g. Buddhist Temple
b.) NARRA PERIOD introduction of diff. Roof construction:
1. Kirizuma gable roof
2. Hogio pyramidal roof
3. Irimoya hip roof
4. Yosemune hip ridge roof
3. KONIN PERIOD time of transition when Japan was engrossed in assilating
imported culture thus little attempt to adopt new architectural forms.
4. FUJIWARA PERIOD Japanese pd. w/c reached their full maturity. One
Luxurious feature found in a Japanese mansion is the Buddhist Altar.

5. KOMAKURA MURAMACHI PERIOD decline of Buddhist religion and rise

of military order. Tea house was added to a Japanese mansion.
6. MAYAMA YENKO PERIOD center of architectural interest was transferred from
religious to secular structures.
EXAMPLES:
a.) TEMPLES : Buddhist Temple of Horiuji by: Nara & Nikko.
Shinto Shrine or Kamiji yama in Ise
Kuridini Temple, Kioto
b.) TOMBS : Tombs of Leyasu, Nikko
c.) PALACES : Imperial Palace, Nara
Mikados Palace, Kioto
Palaces of the Shoguns

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Japanese Architecture 89

INDIAN ARCHITECTURE
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
Indian Architecture is generally obscured and overwhelmed by a rhythmical
multiplication of pilasters, comics, mouldings, roofs, finials & an exhuberant
overgrowth of sculptural decorations. Torana gateway entrance.
STYLES OF DIFFERENT PERIODS:
1. BUDDHIST ARCHITECTURE
a. Stambha or lath columns w/c were carved w/ inscriptions crowned by emblems
such as elepant or lion, reminiscent of Persipolitan Architecture.
b. Stupa or Tope mounds containing sacred relic called Dagoba.
c. Chaitya used as assembly halls w/c were excavated out of a solid rock
resulting in the presentation of one external faade.
d. Vihara a monastery designed w/ courts or shrines w/ a central square space
surrounded by priests chambers.
2. JAIN ARCHITECTURE temples were patterned from Buddhist temples.
Temple bldgs. as a virtue ensures happy future state.
3. HINDU / BRAHMAN ARCHITECTURE combination of the verdic Cult , Buddhism
& Brahmanism.

MONASTERIES

VIHARAS

89

Indian Architecture 90

TORANAS - Gateways in Buddhist Countries

KOREAN ARCHITECTURE
ARCHITECTURAL EXAMPLES :
KOREA was divided into 3 kingdoms ;
1. Koguryo
2. Paekche
3. Shilla
Only a few stone bldgs. including two pagodas of Paekche & one of Shilla Construction ;
also fr. the latter kingdom is the Chomsongdae , an astronomical observatory .
e.g. Bulguksa Temple

BULGUKSA TEMPLE , KOREA

90

Cambodian Architecture 91

CAMBODIAN ARCHITECTURE
ARCHITECTURAL EXAMPLES:
e. g. ANGKOR WAT a temples complex erected by SURYAVARMAN II. The biggest religious
structure in the World. Initially, it was conceived as a temple mountain, symbolizing meru.

Thailand Architecture 92

TEMPLE OF ANGKOR WAT Great Temple Complex in CAMBODIA FEATURES :

a.) A wide moat surrounding the enclosure.
b.) Monumental causeway enclosed by balustrades formed by giants nagas, mythical serpents.
c.) It is made up of stepped terraces.
d.) The central sanctuary of the temple is on top of a stepped pyramid above the erraces.

THAILAND ARCHITECTURE
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
Architecture assimilated from Buddhist Indian Architecture.
ARCHITECTURAL EXAMPLE:
e.g. THRONE ROOM , ROYAL PALACE

91

Indonesian Architecture 92

e.g. WAT PRA SRI SARAPET , AYUDHA , THAILAND

INDONESIAN ARCHITECTURE
CHIEF STRUCTURE
B0R0BUDUR TEMPLE largest Budhhist temple in the World.

FEATURES
a. A central Stupa at the top of nine terraces surrounded by many little stupas.
b. Narrative carvings are found on the walls of the terraces.

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