Ancient Chinese Architecture By Grace West

Principle of Balance All Chinese architecture is based of a principle of balance and symmetry. The main structure of a building was supported by its axis The Secondary structure was two rooms put on either side to form a center room or open space. There was even always an distribution of space Other buildings and gardens followed the method of free combination There was always a sense of flow and ease to Chinese architecture.

Style Chinese architecture is most known for their wood structures. A structure is not only technically sound but incorporates a delicate beauty. The constructing of tall buildings was a part of Ancient Chinese culture that was highly advanced and developed They used advanced structural ideas like wood frameworks kept together with dougong brackets using just one piece of metal

Values in Architecture Buildings reflected Chinese values and ethics Buildings were commonly separated by a families hierarchy When Buddhism was the primary religion in China, the religious buildings had feelings tranquility peace and introversion which was important to the religion Taoism temples had the same serene feelings Architecture opened to religious temples and alters for worshipping deities Architecture was drastically influenced by religion and culture http://www.wunderground.com/data/wximagenew/a/AnneAbrams/854.jpg

History The plan of a city began in the Western Zhou Dynasty In the Spring and Autumn Warring States period there was a fall in arts. It was a time when, "courtesy disintegrated and music destroyed" the systematic patterns of Chinese architecture were disintegrating During the Han Dynasty the importance of art was restored The Han dynasty was the largest milestone in that it brought a new religion: Buddhism Buildings called pagodas were introduced which continued to develop through the Tang and Sung Dynasty During the Ming Dynasty the Forbidden City was built, a huge palace The unification of dynasties strengthened the cultural exchanges of two different cultures These kind of connections brought many changes and development in ancient Chinese art including architecture.

Temples word for palace is "gong" In the Qin Dynasty gradually the word came to mean a group of buildings where the emperor lived and worked. Palaces grew in size The first Emperor of the Qin Dynasty had a palace that was 2 1/2 km from east to west and 1,000 paces from north to south. Groups of palaces slowly grew into a small city called a "gongcheng" Inside the gong- separate buildings where concubines and empresses lived courtyards http://www.farhorizons.com/Southeast_Asia/images_under_china_skies/Yuantong_Buddist_temple_lg.jpg

Pavilions ting These buildings were seen in the country side built of wood and stone or bamboo made in different shapes use columns instead of walls for support built on slopes Stand near bridges and over water wells Pavilions are used for providing a rest place http://imagecache01a.allposters.com/images/pic/RHPOD/399-3691~17th-Century-Pavilion-Bridge-Over-Ancient-Canal-Near-Soochow-Suzhou-China-Asia-Posters.jpg

Terrace Tai like an elevated bare platform made of stone and brick they were usually used as a look out to see far out into the distance http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/feature_2/Beijing_Seoul_Photos_Exhibition/Ancient_Capital/Landscape/W020080114530620713793.jpg

Storied Buildings and Storied Pavilions Lou Building with 2 or more stories These buildings began in the period called the Warring States ( 475-221 B.C) The more modest two storied buildings were used as private homes The larger more eye catching buildings were built in parks and used to enjoy the beautiful scenery Ancient cities also had bell towers which were housed in buildings with four sloped, glazed roofs and circulating verandas They would ring the bell to announce time Storied pavilions were usually used to hold important religious writing

Widespread influence Chinese architecture spread into the East Asian religion including Japan and Viet Nam which now combines to form the East Asian architecture In the early Ming and Qing dynasties Chinese architecture was very different from Western It then became well known in Europe and they were greatly influenced China also accepted influence from South and Central Asia Unification of dynasties throughout Chinese history brought a lot of development to China including arts

Bibliography http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/china/architecture/ http://www1.chinaculture.org/focus/2008-07/09/content_136317_4.htm http://library.thinkquest.org/10098/china1.htm http://www.chinaetravel.com/china/architec.html