CHINA:

CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

ARCHITECTURE IN

CHINA:
CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES THE ROOF
THE CHIEF FEATURE either built on roof cross-beams rests directly on vertical structural beams. In higher class construction, roof supporting beams are support through complex dougong bracketing systems that indirectly connect them to the primary structural beams.

CHINA:
CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

THE ROOF
Three main types of roofs based on shape
Straight inclined:
most economical type of roofing most prevalent in commoner architectures

Multi-inclined:
with 2 or more sections of incline. used in higher class constructions- wealthy commoners to palaces.

Sweeping:
sweeping curvature that rises at the corners of the roof. usually reserved for temples and palaces usually highly decorated with ceramic figurines.

CHINA:
CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

THE ROOF
types of roofs based on structure:
1. : xuanshan, Overhanging gable roof 2. : yingshan, flush gable roof 3. : wudian, Hip roof 4. : xieshan, Gable and Hip Roofs 5. : cuanjian, Pyramidal Roof 6. : zhongyan, Double-eaved versions (of 4, 3) 7-9. Double-Eaved versions of 5, 6, 3

CHINA:
CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

CHINA:
CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

THE ROOF
PANTILES
a type of fired roof tile, normally made from clay. It is S-shaped in appearance and is single lap, meaning that the end of the tile laps only the course immediately below

CHINA:
CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

THE ROOF

apex and ridges:

topped with a ridge of tiles and statues for both decorative purposes but also to weight down the layers of roofing tiles for stability. often well decorated, especially for religious or palatial structures.

CHINA:
CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

THE ROOF
Roof framing
System of trusses on rigid triangles

CHINA:
CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

THE ROOF
Roof framing
2 main types: pillars-and-beams or tailiang( left), and pillars-andtransverse-tie-beams or chuandou (right.

CHINA:
CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

THE ROOF
Bracketing
Dougong (Chinese: ; pinyin: dugng; literally "cap [and] block") is a unique structural element of interlocking wooden brackets, one of the most important elements in traditional Chinese architecture.

CHINA:
CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

PAI LOU
pai-loo/paifang a monumental Chinese arch or gateway with one, three, or five openings; erected at the entrance to a palace, tomb, or processional way.

CHINA:
ENCLOSURE
CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

COURTYARD
a common feature in many types of Chinese architectures. Best exemplified by siheyuan, which consists of an empty space surrounded by buildings connected with one another either directly or through verandas.

CHINA:
CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

ENCLOSURE
SKYWELL
a relatively enclosed courtyard formed from the intersections of closely spaced buildings and offer small opening to the sky through the roof space from the floor up.

CHINA:
CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

WALLS
The common use of curtain walls or door panels to delineate rooms or enclose a building, with the general de-emphasis of loadbearing walls in most higher class construction

CHINA:
CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

COSMOLOGICAL CONCEPTS
Chinese architecture from early times used concepts from Chinese cosmology such as feng shui(geomancy) and Taoism to organize construction and layout from common residences to imperial and religious structures.

CHINA:
CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES
COSMOLOGICAL CONCEPTS
Screen walls to face the main entrance of the house, which stems from the belief that evil things travel in straight lines. Talismans and imagery of good fortune:
Door gods Three anthropomorphic figures Animals and fruits that symbolize good fortune and prosperity

Orienting the structure with its back to elevated landscape ensuring that there is water in the front. generally windowless back of the structure faces the north

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CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

NUMBER OF BAYS
EMPEROR- 9 PRINCE- 7 MANDARINES- 5 COMMONERS- 3

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CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

ORNAMENTS
MAINLY ZOOMORPHIC(ANIMALS) OTHER ORNAMENTS INCLUDE FLOWERS, CLOUDS AND LEAVES

CHINA:
CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

MAIN ZOOMORPHIC ORNAMENTS

THE FOLLOWING CONSTITUTE THE 4 GODS OF CHINESE CULTURE:
GREEN DRAGON-EAST WHITE TIGER-WEST RED PHEONIX-SOUTH BLACK TORTOISE-NORTH