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chinese Architecture: An Overview

The basic feature of Chinese architecture is rectangular-shaped units of space joined together into a whole. Temples in ancient Greece also employed rectangular spaces, but the overall effect tended to austerity.

The Chinese architecture style, by contrast, combines rectangular shapes varying in size and position according to importance into an organic whole, with each level and component clearly distinguished. As a result, traditional building styles of Chinese architecture have an imposing yet dynamic and intriguing exterior.

Techniques of chinese architcture

The combination of units of spaces in traditional Chinese architecture abides by the principles of balance and symmetry.

The main structure is the axis, and the secondary structure is positioned as two wings on either side to form the main rooms and yard. Residences, official building, temples, and palaces all follow these same basic principles.

The distribution of interior space reflects Chinese social and ethical values. In traditional chinese architecture building designs , for example, members of a family are assigned living quarters based on the family hierarchy.

The master of the house occupies the main room, the elder members of the master s family live in the compound in the back, and the younger members of the family live in the wings to the left and right; those with seniority on the left, and the other on the right.

Main Styling Characteristic Of chinese architecture

The key characteristic of chinese architecture is its use of a wooden structural frame with pillars and beams, and earthen walls surrounding the building on three sides. The main door and windows are in front.

Chinese architecture use wood as a main construction material for thousands of years; wood on the Chinese represents life, and “life” is the main thing Chinese culture in its various form endeavors to communicate. This feature has been preserved up to the present.

Traditions Of Chinese Architecture

Traditional rectangular Chinese buildings are divided into several rooms, based on the structure of the wooden beams and pillars. In order to top the structure with a deep and over hanging roof, the Chinese invented their own particular type of support bracket, called tou-kung, which rise up level by level from each pillar. These brackets both support the structure and are also a distinctive and attractive ornamentation. This architectural style was later adopted by such countries as Korea and Japan.

Special Chinese Architecture Feature

Some special architectural features resulted from the use of wood. The first is that the depth and breadth of interior space is determined by the wooden structural frame.

The second is the development of the technique of applying color lacquers to the structure to preserve the wood. These lacquers were made in brilliant, bold colors, and became one of the key identifying features of traditional Chinese architecture. Third is the technique of building a structure on a platform, to prevent damage from moisture. The height of the platform corresponds to the importance of the building. A high platform adds strength, sophistication, and stateliness to large buildings.

Aesthetics of Chinese Architecture

The highly varied color murals found on a traditional Chinese building have both symbolic and aesthetic significance, and may range from outline of dragons and phoenixes and depictions of myths to paintings of landscapes, flowers, and birds. One notable architectural development in southern china particularly in Taiwan is fine wood sculpture. Such sculptures, together with the murals, give the structure an elegant and pleasing ornament effect.

Chinese Artchitecture and Religious and Cultural Influence

A board variety of architectural styles are employed in Chinese temples. The religions of the temple vary from Buddhist to Taoist to ancestral and folk religion, but all share the same basic temple structure. With Taiwan s rich folks religion tradition, temples are to been seen everywhere; they are one of the island s unique cultural features.

The ornamentation on traditional buildings in Taiwan is especially exquisite; it is like a comprehensive Chinese folk art exhibit. Its main element includes colour painting; calligraphy; wood, stone and clay sculpture; ceramic; and cut and paste art. Thus an acquaintance with Chinese traditional in Taiwan can at the same time be a gateway to understanding china s rich folk culture.

Article Published: Saturday 21st April 2007