chinese arch slides 4.pdf - DMHScommunity

History through Chinese Architecture

History through Architecture Recall Test
In yesterday’s class, what did we call the following structures:
A) B)
C)
D)

History through Architecture Recall Test
A) Pagoda
B) City, or Imperial City
C) Great Wall of China
D) Stupa, or Stupa at Sanchi

The Ancient Egyptians called it ka.
Hindus call it prana.
Chinese refer to the life force as chi or qi.
Japanese refer to it as ki, as in Reiki.
The Greeks know it as pneuma.

Vaastu Shastra - Indian

Feng Shui - Chinese
Bagua Chart

Chinese civilization started in the North along the Yellow River (Huáng Hé)
valley during the Neolithic era (10,000 BCE). Millet was the main crop. After this
period, Chinese history is often described as a succession of dynasties which
provide political continuity between periods of turmoil or domination by foreign
peoples.

A Chinese structure is based on the principle of balance and
symmetry. Office buildings, residences, temples, and palaces all
follow the principle that the main structure is the axis.
The secondary structures are positioned as two wings on either side
to form the main room and yard.
The distribution of interior space reflects Chinese social and
ethnical values. For example, a traditional residential building
assigns family members based on the family's hierarchy.

History through Chinese Architecture
Ancient Chinese architecture is mainly comprised of timberwork. The ancient
Chinese structures comprised of posts, beams, lintels and joists as the major
features.
One of the most prominent aspects typical of Chinese architecture is the use of
columns to support the roof and the entire burden of the house. In the ancient style
of architecture, the walls do not support the roof or the entire house.
Most ancient Chinese followed the principles of Taoism (the “way” or “path”).
The ancient buildings according to Taoism were not built as tall, and were
symmetric on both the sides.
Some of the most recognizable of Chinese structures is the pagodas. The
Buddhists introduced the system of building pagodas in buildings to keep sacred
relics and devotions.
During the reign of later dynasties, the imperial style of architecture became
dominant. The famous Forbidden City is the testimony of this style. Like many
other palaces built during that era, the Forbidden City also comprises of the
ancestral temples balances the left and right sides.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq6TJ8ORgYc&feature=relmfu

Chinese Wooden Building
Post and Lintel , or in contemporary usage Post and beam, is a simple
construction method using a lintel or header as the horizontal member
over a building void supported at its ends by vertical columns, pillars,
or posts. This architectural system and building method has been used
for thousands of years to support the weight of the structure located
above the openings created in a bearing wall.

Chinese Wooden Building
Mortise and Tenon has been found
in ancient structures from
ceremonial boats in ancient Egypt
and Stonehenge.
It use in China

Chinese Wooden Building
Dougong is a unique structural
element of interlocking
wooden brackets introduced in the
late centuries BC .
It is a structural network that joins
pillars and columns to the frame of
the roof.

Chinese Wooden Buildings
http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_252
333&feature=iv&src_vid=_vRIuAOrZgo&v=xRnVvdxgFkg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vRIuAOrZgo&list=U
ULjnPgrEuHIkcSQEjcSEs5A&index=9&feature=plcp

History through Architecture
Assignment: create a series (set) of architectural
renderings and drawings depicting your personal
and individually unique space:
Elevation
Site Plan
Floor Plan
Cross Section
Detail

History through Architecture
Assignment: research and portray an AZ architect
of your choosing, representing their biography,
philosophy, and most importantly, their persona, or
being. This is to be an acted-out presentation
wherein you will be “interviewed” and evaluated by
the class – you can bet you will be challenged to
know your “stuff” and to be FULLY IN
CHARACTER during your performance.