SIMPLE UNDERSTANDING OF CHINESE ARCHITECTURE

CHINESE ARCHITECTURE BY: Muhammad Azhar Bin Azmi Nabila Shahida Binti Mohammad Shah Muhammad Afiq Bin Mohd Abu Zarin Muhammad Luqman Bin Razlan Nik Ahmad Faidz Bin Nik Azuar Muhammad Syamim Hadri Bin Azmi Hani Nabilah Binti Abdul Rahman Mohd Amir Asyraaf Bin Zulkifli Ahmad Hisan Bin Ahmad Wafa Muhammad Syafiq Bin Amran

CHINESE DYNASTY

Dynasty Zhou : 771 1122- -256 221BC Tang :618-907C BC DynastyChou Ming:1308-1644C Chin:255-206BC Dynasty Han:206-220BC

Masonry stone moulded bricks Improvement of&ofbeam-in-tiers bracketed system with in more Introduced Bracketed system Introducing standard module of&system Improvement bracketed system New techniques: column &building the-beam decorative elements construction Dimension ofofpalaces Beam tiers techniques Stoneand introduced as construction Introduction Buddhism principlematerials Image of cosmos Square outlined, centralised, axial plan, S-N axis.

Simple with minimum decorative Greatconstruction Wall of China Animistic concept of the universe elements Colour: more dynamic

CHINESE PHILOSOPHY

BUDDHISM

Buddhism was introduced into China mainly during Eastern Han Dynasty (25 - 220) via the South China Sea and Western Region.

DEVELOPMENT Eastern Han Dynasty - Eastern Jin Dynasty (317 - 420): Buddhism was introduced to China during this period.

The early Chinese Buddhist temples followed Indian style, which set the stupa as its center.

They once had a traditional Chinese name - Ci (ancestral temple) and the number was very limited.

White Horse Temple in Luoyang is a typical example of this period.

DEVELOPMENT Northern and Southern Dynasties (386 - 589) to Five Dynasties (907 - 960): Buddhism was at its height of splendor and power during this period.

In the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), many more Buddhist temples were built with larger dimensions.

Walls of the courtyard were decorated with exquisite embossment. A niche was placed in the middle of the north wall.

A Buddhist pylon stood in the centre of the temple.

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xian was built in this period.

DEVELOPMENT Song Dynasty (960 - 1279) - late Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911): The social position of Buddhism overall was weakened in the Song Dynasty but Zen, a major sect of Chinese Buddhism, began to flourish in this period.

The layout of temples changed little by little.

Xiangguo Temple in Kaifeng City is an example of this period.

CHARACTERISTICS The main Buddhist architectural items include temples, pagodas, and grottos.

Buddhist architecture is regarded as a great art treasure where Chinese calligraphy, sculpture and Chinese painting combine.

Being the spiritual symbols of Buddhism, they are not only monastic holy places, but also serve as sacred land that can purify souls.

BUDDHIST TEMPLES The Buddhist temple is the holy place where Buddhist doctrine is maintained.

Differing from other religions' temples, Chinese Buddhist temples have many characteristics of their own.

For example, similar to Chinese palaces and dwelling houses, they are comprised of a number of small yards.

The oldest temple in China - White Horse Temple is a typical example of this.

The architectural styles of Buddhist temples in China were mainly formed in three periods:

Han Dynasty (206BC-220) the retention of Indian styles.

Northern and Southern Dynasties (386-589) wooden framework was added to the original styles.

Tang Dynasty (618907) the styles of Buddhist temples were totally Sinicized and the pavilion-like pagoda, which is unique to China, became popular.

PAGODA • Symbol of Buddhism, where people climb to have a bird's-eye-view, is often erected in temples.

• Pagodas can be made of stone, wood, coloured glaze or metal.

• Pagodas have an odd number of layers.

• Seven-layer and Nine-layer pagodas are commonly built.

• The shape of cross-section is rectangular, eight-sided or even circular.

• Initially, the pagoda served as the central axis alongside which rows of halls and monks' rooms spread out.

• Later, pagodas were built near the main palace hall.

GROTTO • Grotto is often chiseled into cliffs.

• In the 3rd century, Chinese Buddhists began to build grottoes and Xinjiang is the first area where grottoes were hewn.

• Grottoes are decorated with painted sculptures, carvings and frescos.

• Craftsmen revealed real life pictures and their understanding of society in these art works, which gave them great historical and cultural value.

• The four famous grottoes in China are: Mogao Caves, Longmen Grottoes, Yungang Grottoes and Maiji Caves. They are well preserved and attract many visitors from home and abroad.

Mogao cave

Maiji Cave Longmen Grottoes

Yungang Grottoes

TAOISM A religion native to China.

Laozi, (also spelled Lao-Tse, Lao Tsu, Lao Tzu, etc.) a famous thinker living in 6th Century BC, established this philosophy and came to be regarded as the father of Taoism.

It formed mainly during Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220).

Taoist architecture includes: temples, palaces, nunneries, altars and huts where religious activities are performed and the power that envelopes and flows through all things, living and non-living, is worshipped.

Similarity

Buddhist architecture, it can be divided into holy halls for sacrifice, altars to pray at, houses to live in, rooms to chant scriptures in according to their use.

Difference Taoist architectural style is closer to that of worldly buildings.

For example, Taoist statues and wall paintings are more familiar to common people.

Another constructional style follows Taoist theory of five elements and eight diagrams.

A furnace - a stove to refine pills of immortality which are believed to lengthen one's life - is laid in the center around which other constructions are distributed according to eight diagrams.

All structures are in line forming a strict constructional system which reflects Taoist thought of the inter-relationship of Essence, Energy and Spirit.

CHANG’AN

Chang-an: history Capital of t’ang dynasty Dated 582 Now known as Xian, Shanxi

Chang-an: elements Imperial City 2.8km x 1.8km Ministries & altars Palace City 2.8km x 1.5km 3 palaces side by side Imperial park forbidden

Chang-an: elements Walls 9.7km x 8.6km Streets 14 (ew) 11 (ns) Fang 108 units 520m.sq. average

Chang-an: elements Ming-te Gate Major south city gate 56m x 17m 5 portals

Chang-an: characters Balance & Symmetry North-south orientation Grid-iron layout Major boulevards (150m wide) Northern imperial city Major components Palace city Imperial city Fang & market

PAGODA

THE BIG WILD GOOSE PAGODA

BACKGROUND Originally built in 652 during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Function: to collect Buddhist materials that were taken from India by the hierarch Xuanzang.

DEVELOPMENT Built with layers of bricks but without any cement.

First built to a height of 60 meters (197 feet) with five stories, it is now 64.5 meters (211.6 feet) high with an additional two stories.

EXTERIOR

A square cone, simple but grand and it is a masterpiece of Buddhist construction.

INTERIOR stairs twist up so that visitors can climb and overlook the panorama of the city from the archshaped doors on four sides of each storey.

INTERIOR On the walls are engraved fine statues of Buddha by the renowned artist Yan Liben of the Tang Dynasty.

Steles by noted calligraphers also grace the pagoda.

FORBIDDEN CITY

BACKGROUND Part of Beijing Imperial city Built during Ming Dynasty 1406 Also known as “Purple Forbidden City” Function as: Imperial Residence Seat of Imperial Government 760m EW 960m NS

COMPONENTS Outer Court Three Great Halls of State Tai’ho Dian Zhonghe Dian Bhonghe Dian Tai’ho Men Inner Courts Qianging Gong Kunning Gong Dongliu Gong Xiliu Gong Gates Walls Moat

COMPONENTS OUTER COURT Three Great Hall of State 1. Hall of Supreme Harmony (Tai’ho Dian) Throne Hall Ceremonial events Largest wooden structure in China 11 x 5 bays Height 27m Preceded by 26,000 m.sq. yard

1

COMPONENTS - OUTER COURT

Hall of Supreme Harmony (Tai’ho Dian)

COMPONENTS OUTER COURT Floor Plan

Hall of Supreme Harmony (Tai’ho Dian)

Sectional perspective

COMPONENTS OUTER COURT Three Great Hall of State 2. Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghe Dian) Royal waiting hall 5 x 5 bays 3. Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohe Dian) Imperial banquets 9 x 5 bays

2

3

COMPONENTS OUTER COURT Gate of Supreme Harmony (Tai’ho Men )





Entrance to courtyard before Hall of Supreme harmony



9 bays



Dated 1420

COMPONENTS - OUTER COURT Gate of Supreme Harmony (Tai’ho Men )

COMPONENTS - OUTER COURT Hall of Supreme Harmony (Baohe Dian) Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghe Dian) Hall of Preserving Harmony (Tai’ho Dian) Gate of Supreme Harmony Meridian Gate (Wu Men)

COMPONENTS INNER COURT 

Rear Three Palaces



Six Eastern Palaces (Dongliu Gong)



Six western Palaces (Xiliu Gong)

COMPONENTS - INNER COURT Rear Three Palaces Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianging Gong) Emperor’s palace Hall of Mutual Ease (Jiaotai Dian) Wedding Chamber Palace of Earthly Repose (Kunning Gong) Empress’ palace

3 2 1

COMPONENTS - INNER COURT • Six East & West Palaces (Dongliu Gong & Xiliu Gong) • Palaces of retired emperor & empress • Residences of Imperial family

GATES 1)

2)

5

Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tiannan men) Gate of Correctness (Duan Men)

3)

Meridian Gate (Wu Men)

4)

East & West flowery Gates

5)

Gate of Martial Spirit

4

4 3 2 1

GATES

Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tiannan men)

GATES Wu Men (Meridian Gate) Main gate to the complex 5 portals Dated 1420 Site of: Proclamations Dispatching armies Receiving prisoners Punishment

MOAT & WALLS Moat functions as protection 50m width lanscaping elements Fed by Jinshui River Walls For protection With coner tower for observation

MOAT & WALLS

Moat & Corner Tower

OTHER COMPONENTS Viewing Hills (Jing Shan) Imperial Garden Observation

OTHER COMPONENTS Hall of Literary Glory (Wenhua dian) Imperial library Instruction for young emperors Hall of Military Eminence (Wuying Dian) Editing & publishing establishment

1

2

CHARACTERISTICS Base on North-South axis South: front North: rear Hills on Northern side avoid Mongolian yellow dust Symmetry Axial arrangement of courts created by buildings and walls Water element

TEMPLE OF HEAVEN 

TIEN TAN

BACKGROUND Southeast of Imperial City Within Outer City Wall (Waicheng) Built 1550s

LAYOUT & COMPONENTS Southeast of Imperial City Within Outer City Wall (Waicheng)

1

Built 1550s Major components: Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest (Chi-nien tien)

2

Imperial Vault of Heaven (Huangchiung yu)

3

Circular Mound Altar (Huan-chiu tan)

HALL OF PRAYER FOR GOOD HARVEST

Built 1420 125’ high & 100’ dia.

Place of heaven worship for the emperor

HALL OF PRAYER FOR GOOD HARVEST Filled with Chinese symbolisms: Triple tiered circular stone terrace- levels of heaven Circular plan- heaven Triple eave Blue roof- colour of the sky 4 central columns (“dragon well pillar”)- 4 seasons 12 inner columns- months of year 12 outer columns- hours of day & night Central round marble floor with design of dragon (emperor) & phoenix (empress)

OTHER COMPONENTS • Imperial Vault of Heaven • Built 1530 • Circular building with dome • 64’ high & 50’ dia.

• Circular Mound Altar • Built 1530 • Triple tiered white stone terrace within square outer wall and circular inner wall • 16’ high & 230’dia.

PAI LOU Built of timber or masonry Consist of odd number of portals (1,3,5) Functionally similar to torana & torii Usually of North-South orientation Functions Gateway Memorial

PAI LOU

Suchow, Kiongsu

PAI LOU Pai Lou at Tiantan Shrine

PAI LOU Memorial Gateway of Emperor Ming Yung Lo

CONFUCIAN TEMPLE Built by the state in commemorating Confucius & its teaching as the basis of government

Nan-ch’an Temple, Shaanxi.

BUDDHIST TEMPLE Built by Buddhist followers Brought in from Himalayans Usually includes pagodas

BUDDHIST TEMPLE

Fo-kung Ssu

BUDDHIST TEMPLE

K’yai-yuan Ssu

TRADITIONAL HOUSES Courtyard Axial Hierarchical Enclosed garden Timber construction South orientation

TRADITIONAL HOUSES Courtyard Axial Hierarchical Enclosed garden Timber construction South orientation

MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS OF CHINESE ARCHITECTURE

Union of structure and beauty Earthquake responsive High building standard Use of bright colour Systematic building layout

MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS OF CHINESE ARCHITECTURE Union of structural and decorative elements Structure as decoration Proportion of structural elements Curve roof

MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS OF CHINESE ARCHITECTURE Earthquake responsive construction system Reusable timber frame construction Mortises & tendons system Shallow foundation

MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS OF CHINESE ARCHITECTURE

High building standard Duogong system Module of structural elements Standard of craftsmanship

MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS OF CHINESE ARCHITECTURE Use of bright colours Weather protection Decorative effects Symbolism Red - wall, column, door & window Yellow – rooftop Blue – underneath roof eave

MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS OF CHINESE ARCHITECTURE

Systematic building layout Formation of courtyard Axial arrangement Deliberate orientation