Chinese Architecture

- The People’s Republic of China (PRC Jan. 1912), commonly known as

China, is the most populous state in the world with over 1.3 billion people.
- Population below poverty line: 13.4%.
- Located in East Asia.
- The PRC exercises jurisdiction over 23 provinces, five autonomous regions,
four directly administered municipalities (Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and
Chongqing) and two highly autonomous administrative regions, Hong
Kong and Macau.
- Its capital city is Beijing.
- Largest city is Shanghai.
- Communist – A system of a government in which the state plans and
controls the economy and a single, often authoritarian, party holds
power; state controls are imposed with the elimination of private
ownership of property or capital while claiming to make progress toward
a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people
(i.e., a classless society).

NATIONAL SYMBOL: DRAGON

- Chinese dragons are legendary creatures in Chinese mythology and

folklore.
- Emperor of China usually used the dragon as a symbol of his imperial
power and strength.
- Chinese dragons traditionally symbolize potent and auspicious powers,
particularly control over water, rainfall, hurricane, and floods.

ECONOMIC

- Since the late 1970s China has moved from a closed centrally planned
system to a more market oriented one that plays a major global role. In
2010 China became the world’s largest exporter.
- “Open-Door-Policy” – open to foreign investor has increased its global
outreach participation in international organization.
GEOLOGICAL

- In south – Copper, Tin, Zinc, Antimony, Tungsten, Manganese and

Mercury.
- In North – Soil is chiefly loses and alluvium with a marked absence of trees.
- Timber – Principal material in China
- Bamboo, pine and the Persia nanmu, the tallest and the straightest of all
the trees in China.
- Bricks were also used, as well as limestone and sandstone.
- Walls are also faced with the glazed tiles or majolica.
- Clay Tiles – colored and glazed with symbolic colors – black, red, azure,
white and yellow.

RELIGION

Traditional Religions

a. Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism – are the dominant faith. Buddhism

in China accounts for between 660 million (50%) and over 1 billion (80%) while
Taoists number 400 million (30%).

 Confucianism – new code of social conduct and philosophy of life; it

was not a religion.
 Taoism – founded by Lao Tzu; doctrine of universal love as his solution
to social disorder.
 Buddhism – Introduced to China under the Han Dynasty.

b. Christianity in China – It was first introduced during the Tang period in the
7th Century with the arrival of Christianity. This was by Franciscan missionaries
in the 13th Century, Jesuits in the 16th Century, and finally Protestants in the
19th Century, during which time Christianity began to make significant
foothold in China. May number between 40 million (3%) and 54 million (4%).

c. Islam in China – Eighteen years after Muhammed’s death. Muslims came

to China for trade, dominating the import/export industry during the Song
Dynasty.

d. Other Religions – Hinduism, Dongbaism, Bon and a number of new religions

and sects.
CHINESE CULTURE

- Chinese culture embodies the philosophy of holism. Ancient Chinese

philosophers believed that all things are interrelated, and that heaven,
earth, and humanity form a unified whole. Calligraphy and painting were
higher forms of art than dancing or drama. China’s traditional values were
derived from various versions of Confucianism and Conservatism.
- Feng shui – widely used to orient building, often spiritually significant
structures such as tombs, but also dwellings and other structures, in an
auspicious manner. Depending on the particular style of fengshui being
used, an auspicious site could be determined by reference to local
features such as bodies of water, stars, or a compass.
- “Sculpture is the forerunner of all art.” This saying truly describes the
Chinese sculptural art. Jade carvings of eople, pottery figurines of young
women, and sculptures and carvings of animals appeared in China as
early as the Neolithic Age (c. 12,000 – 2000 BC). As Chinese civilization
flourished, so did the Chinese sculpture.

HISTORICAL PERIODS

1.) Pre-History

a. Paleolithic – the most famous specimen of Homo erectus found in china is

the so called Pekin Man. The archaeological site of Xihoudu in Shanxi
Province is the earliest recorded use of fire. Stone tools found in
Xiaochangliang site. The excavation at Yuanmouand show early
habitation.

b. Neolithic- with the agriculture come increased population, the ability to

store and redistribute crops. The Yellow River valley began to establish
itself as a cultural center, where the first villages were founded.
 2.) Ancient Era
a. Xia Dynasty – the first dynasty to be described in ancient historical
records. From this period found on pottery and shells are thought to be
ancestral to modern Chinese characters.
b. Shang Dynasty – discovered inscriptions of divination records in ancient
chines writing on the bones or shells of animals – the so called “Oracle
Bones.” The Chinese worshipped many different gods.
c. Han Dynasty (Eastern) – Emerged in 206 BC. It was the first dynasty to
embrace the philosophy of Confucianism. China made great
advances in many areas of the arts and sciences. Commonly used
structural techniques included, “beam-in-tiers” and “column-and-tie
beam” methods. Mortise and Tenon work of tie beams and cross
beams.
d. Northern and Southern Dynasty – China’s architecture first developed
noticeable as a result of Buddhism, pagodas and grottoes.
e. Tang and Song Dynasty – China’s building methods maturing rapidly.
Song Dynasty, the architectural use of color and decoration became
more and more exquisite.
f. Ming and Qing Dynasty – High levels of skill were developed in the
arrangement and layout of groups of buildings.

Examples:

a. Forbidden City in Beijing – the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming
dynasty to the end of Qing dynasty. The years 1420 to 1912. It is located
in the center of Beijing, China and now houses the palace museum.
b. Summer Palace - Known as Yiheyuanin Chinese, is a vast ensemble of
lakes, gardens and palaces in Beijing, China. It takes as a popular tourist
destination and recreational park.
c. Tian tan Shrine

3.) Modern Period

ARCHITECTURE

- Traditional Chinese architecture emphasizes harmony between structure

and surroundings. Whether palace, temple, garden, or residence,
traditional Chinese buildings blend with the surrounding landscape into an
integrated whole. Even inside a building human beings and nature are
not separate, but rather form a unified whole. Since the Tang Dynasty,
Chinese architecture has had a major influence on the architectural styles
of Korea, Vietnam, and Japan.

ARCHITECTURAL TYPES:

1.) Commoner – The houses of commoners, be they bureaucrats, merchants

or farmers, tended to follow a set pattern: the center of the building
would be a shrine for the deities and the ancestors, which would also be
used during festivities.

Parts:

 On its two sides were bedrooms for the elders;

 The two wings of the building (known as “Guardian Dragons” by the
Chinese) were for the junior members of the family, as well as the living
room, the dining room, and the kitchen, although sometimes the living
room could be very close to the center.
 Some commoners living in areas plagued by bandits built communal
fortresses called Tulou for protection.

Tulou
 2.) Imperial
- Reserved solely for buildings built for the Emperor of China. One example
is the use of yellow roof tiles, yellow having been the imperial color.
- The Temple of Heaven, however uses blue roof tiles symbolize the sky. The
roofs are most invariably supported by brackets” Dougong”, a feature
shared only with the largest of religious buildings.
- The wooden columns of the buildings, as well as the surfaces of the walls,
tend to be red in color.
- Black is also a famous color often used in pagodas. It was believed that
the gods are inspired by the black color to descend to the earth.
- Curiously, the dragon was never used on roofs of imperial buildings.
- Gates used by the Emperor could have five arches, with the center one,
of course, being reserved for the emperor himself.
- The Ancient Chinese favored the color red.
- The buildings faced south because the north had a cold wind.

3.) Religious
- Buddhist architecture follows imperial style.
- A large Buddhist monastery normally has a great hall, housing the statue
of the Buddhas.
- Accomodations for the monks and the nuns are located at the two sides.
- Buddhist monasteries sometime also have pagodas, which may house the
relics of the Gautama Buddha; older pagodas tend to be four sided,
while later pagodas usually have eight sides.

Chinese classifications for architecture include:

 亭 (Chinese: 亭; pinyin: Tíng) ting (Chinese pavilions)

 臺 (simplified Chinese: 台; traditional Chinese: 臺; pinyin: Taí) tai (terraces)
 樓 (simplified Chinese: 楼; traditional Chinese: 樓; pinyin: Lóu) lou (Multistory
buildings)
 閣 (simplified Chinese: 阁; traditional Chinese: 閣; pinyin: Gé) ge (Two-
story pavilions)
 軒 (轩) xuan (Verandas with windows)
 塔 ta (Chinese pagodas)
 榭 xie (Pavilions or houses on terraces)
 屋 wu (Rooms along roofed corridors)
 斗拱(Chinese: 斗拱; pinyin: Dǒugǒng) dougong interlocking wooden brackets,
often used in clusters to support roofs and add ornamentation.
ARCHITECTURAL BILATERAL SYMMETRY

- An important feature in Chinese architecture is its emphasis on articulation

and bilateral symmetry, which signifies balance.
- Bilateral symmetry and the articulation of buildings are found everywhere
in Chinese architecture, from palace complexes to humble farmhouses.
- When possible, plans for renovation and extension of a house will often try
to maintain this symmetry provided that there is enough capital to do so.
Secondary elements are positioned either side of main structures as two
wings to maintain overall bilateral symmetry.
- In contrast to the buildings, Chinese gardens are a notable exception
which tends to be asymmetrical. The principle underlying the garden’s
composition is to create enduring flow.

ENCLOSURE

- These enclosed spaces come in two forms: the open courtyard and the
SkyWell. The use of open courtyards is common feature in many types of
Chinese architectures.
- These enclosures serve in temperature regulation and inventing the
building complexes.
- Northern 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 col northern winds out.
- Southern Sky Wells are relatively small and serves to collect rain water
from the roof tops while restricting the amount of sunlight that enters the
building. Sky wells also serve as vents for rising hot air, which draws cool air
from the lower stories of the house and allows for exchanges of cool air
with the outside.
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER

- Painting was recognized by the Chinese sculpture architecture and the

crafts were regarded as artisan works. The art was poetic rather than
material; the Chinese revealed in the beauty of nature.
- Roof was the chief feature. The Chinese roof - ridges in laden with
elaborate ornamental cresting and the up – tilted angles are adorned
with fantastic dragons and grotesque ornament. It is considered sign of
dignity to place roofs one over the other and this system also serves to
protect the interior from extremes of heat and cold. Roofs which are
concave in section are generally covered with enameled tiles of S-Shape
(Pan Tiles) set in mortar, which is also used to form cover joints as a
protection from the driving winds. The use of bright colors, applied in
Chinese buildings. Glazed tiles and Porcelain is characteristic of the colors
were symbolic of Chinese rites.
- Pai-Lou – a Chinese ceremonial gateway erected in memory of an
eminent person. Stone and wood are features and basic symbolic
structure of Chinese architecture.
- Towers in stone, shows influence of Mesopotamia in the use of arch and
vault.
- Pagoda- most typical Chinese building is usually octagonal in plan, odd
number of stories, usually 9 or 13 stories and repeated roofs, highly
colored, and with up turned eaves, slopes to each storey.
- Doorways are square headed, but varied in outline by fretted pendants
from the horizontal timbers. Windows are of similar form, suiting the
rectangular framing of timber posts or the lashing together of bamboos.
Rice paper was also used instead of glass windows.
- Chinese ornament expresses national characteristics color schemes from
an integral part of Chinese architecture.
- Dougong is the system of brackets inserted between the top of a column
and a crossbeam (each bracket being formed of a double bow – shaped
arm called “gong” which supports a block of wood called “Dou” on each
side.
- Tou Kung – Cluster of brackets.
- Windows – rectangular; rice paper instead of glass.
- Structural – Mortis and Tenon; made of bamboo; Nail less.
- Grotesque – Fanciful or fantastic human and animal forms; very strange;
distorted
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CHINESE ARCHITECTURE

1.) PLAN
- Consist of courtyard
- Lofty pavilion
- Parallel open timber roofs
- With gateways
- Houses like temples are oriented due south

2.) WALLS
- Ordinary buildings were bricks and timber; important ones were stones
- Most wooden buildings were elevated on brick or stone platform as
protection against dampness
- Brick may occasionally be color glazed; glazed tiles or majolica were also
common
- Pagodas are of brick with color glazed brick and marble finish
- Verandas of wooden columns are special feature of dwelling houses.

3.) OPENINGS
- Doorways are square headed but varied by pendant ornaments
- Pai-Lous are distinctively Chinese and may stand alone or be used as
entrances to temples and tombs
- Windows are also in rectangular form
- Arch may also be found in rare cases, the following are being used:
a. Polygonal
b. Candle
c. Moon Gate
4.) ROOFINGS
- The most pronounced features composed of:
a. up turned corner eaves
b. heavy ornaments
c. c. super position of roofing
- Roofs are supported by independent structures
- Roofs finishes were pantiles or S-Shaped enameled tiles
- Roof framing consisted of bamboo and rectangular trusses held together
by wooden tenons
- Bracket connectors are used at joints between truss and pillars

5.) COLUMNS
- Generally cedar wood were installed only after roof is in place
- Capitals were omitted because roof beams were turned directly into shaft
of various heights.
6.) MOULDINGS
- Played little part in Chinese architecture
- Simple mouldings may be found on the compounded bracket, paneled
railings and upturned corner eaves

7.) ORNAMENTS
- Color scheme is an integral part of Chinese Architecture:
a. Palaces(Yellow Tiles)
b. Mandarin Houses ( Red Tiles)
c. Others ( Blue, Green, Purple Tiles)
- Roof was ornamented with animal symbols
- Buildings are considered as a manifestation of art and not as a structure
devised by men
EXAMPLE STRUCTURES

A. Palaces and Villas

Forbidden City in Beijing – “Gugong” – Former Palace

- Is a moored palace with many religious locations within the moat

- Built during the early Qing Dynasty
- Stand out as a place of many treasures and great art
- Around the outer court were the:
a. Taihedian – Hall of Supreme Harmony
b. Zhonghedian – Hall of Central Harmony
c. Baohedian – Hall of Preserved Harmony
d. Wenhuadian – Hall of Martial Valour (Place for the emperor to
receive his ministers)
- In the inner court were the:
a. Qiangqinggong – Palace of Celestial Purity
b. Kuninggong – Palace of Terrestrial Union (Containing the
emperor’s and empress bedchambers)
c. Dongliugong – six eastern courtyards
d. Xiliugong – six western courtyards

- Arranged in two rows on either side of a north – south axis and divides
Beijing into its eastern and western halves.
- Tiananmen – the main gate to imperial City
- Duanmen – The gate of Correct demeanor
- Wumen or Meridian Gate – Main entrance to the forbidden city
Summer Palace

- Located at the north – western outskirts of Beijing

- The park’s main features: Wanshoushan (Longevity Hill) and Kunminghu
(Kunming Lake)
- Divided into four parts:

Donggongmen (East Palace Gate) – where the emperor and the empress
lived and affairs of state were conducted.
Wanshoushan – contains the Foxiangge (the tower of Buddhist incense).
The northern slope of Wanshoushan, together with a stream Kunming Lake,
South Lake, West Lake and its land.

Imperial Palaces

- One – Storey, isolated pavilion like structures

- Usual Chinese roofing was provided
- Palaces were considered unimposing

Example: The Imperial Palace, Peking – Compound consisting of smaller

buildings

Dagoba

- A monumental structure containing relics of Buddha.

B. Pagodas

- Derived from the Indian prototypes and formed an important part of the
temple compound.
- Height varied from 3 to 13 which is common
- Originally erected for religious purpose later made into commemorative
(for Victories)
- Generally polygonal in plan with individual roof angles being highly
ornamented.

Examples: Pagoda in Nanking – also called the Porcelain Tower; the brick wall
and roof eaves were veneered with highly colored porcelain. The upswept
eaves of the entire 9 storey have 150 wind bells.
C. Pai Lou

- Chinese monumental arch gateway

- Resembles the Indian gopuram/torana and Japanese Torii
- Made of wood and stone with one of three openings formed by posts
and horizontal rails with inscriptions
- A geoly colored tile roof is used to cover lower part
- Built primarily as memorials

D. Tombs

- Pai Lou being the real memorial structure – tombs were therefore created
only for ancestral worship
- Tombs were of many forms:
a) cone shape mounds surrounded by stone
b) cut in rock
c) cut in hillsides (animal symbols located at gate)
d) temple shape tomb

E. Mausolea

- Elaborate funerals and lavish tombs were provided for the rulers of
ancient China.
- Also called an Imperial tombs
- 2 kinds: Above ground and below ground
- Those underground are usually only chambers to house emperor’s coffin
but after Eastern Han Dynasty were built of stone and brick.

Examples:

a. Shinsanling tombs in Changping – for burial of thirteen Ming

emperors and empresss
b. Lingen Memorial Hall – one of the largest ancient timber framed
buildings
c. Xian Tomb – the tomb of Qin Shihuang near xian, took 36 years
to build. Covered by manmade 150 foot hill of earth with the
entrance so cleverly that has escaped detention for 22
centuries. Its subterranean vault has a battle array in the vast 700
foot long 200 foot wide chamber stands a life size army of some
6000 to 8000 teracotta armed soldiers and arches, along with
houses and chariots.
F. Houses

- Important town houses are made up of isolated pavilions surrounding

gardens.
- Roof characteristics:
a. highly pitched
b. highly ornamented
c. finished with tiles
d. up turned corner eaves
e. Roof frame of bamboo and wood was painted red, green and
blue.
- Planning is greatly enhanced by beautiful natural gardens
- Generally one storey like temples

G. Grottoes

- Introduced to China from India (Rock Cut)

- Development of grottoes is an example of the historical merging of
Chinese and foreign cultural ideas
- Grottoes carved on natural cliffs are large without decoration

H. Bridges

- Most of the surviving ancient bridges are made of stone and demonstrate
a high level of bridge – building skill

Examples:

a. Anji Bridge in Zhaoxian – built during Sui Dynasty. World’s oldest

arched bridge with open spandrels

b. The Great Wall – most famous of ancient Chinese building

undertakings. Constructed by Shi huang di (first sovereign ruler of
Qun). Stretches over one twentieth of the earth’s circumference,
from the Pacific Ocean to the Gobi Dessert. Constructed of gray
granite block, surmounted by high parapets, between which
rungs a paved road wide enough for five horses to gallop
abreas. 6 to 9 meters high construction followed by natural
contour land.
I. Shrines

- Used in ancient China for making sacrifices to ancestors and famous

historical personages.

Examples:

a. Tiantan Shrine – built for emperors of the Ming and Qing

Dynasties

J. Buddhist Temples

- 2 types of Buddhist Temples:

a. Temples with stupas – introduced from India, the stupas which
usually stood in the center of the group of temple buildings
contain Buddha’s remain and were object of homage for his
disciples.
b. Temples without stupas or pagoda – building usually had a
number of courtyards.

- Temple consist of:

a. Concave roof on vertical supports
b. An enclosure which contained gateway
c. Dagoba, bell tower, pagoda, library and monks dwellings

K. Town Planning

- Town Planning is well organized, mostly quadrilateral and circular (radial)

with four gates at cardinal points.

L. Modern Chinese Architecture

- Chinese were able to reflect and translate their culture and tradition into
modern architecture which are now evident in many skyscrapers in China.
- Famous Chinese Architect : Pei Leoh Ming (IM Pei)