REACTION PAPER #1

Comparative Analysis (Architecture in China): Forbidden City and Vatican City

The Vatican City and Forbidden City are both prominent structures of their own countries.
Both are located in the capital cities which signifies its relevance and importance to their nations.

VATICAN CITY
The Vatican City was first built during Emperor Constantine’s reign on the sitr of Caligula’s
famous circus. In 1506, Pope Julius II redeveloped the Vatican City by a chain of Architects
including Michelangelo, Bernini and Vramante was completed in 1626. The architectural details
of the Vatican City are evident on its style, plan, layout, hierarchy, and size.It was built in a
Rennaisance and Baroque style
The plan of Vatican City was based on circle and square and is symmetrical. It represents
the church as a “microcosm reflecting the whole cosmos” where the cosmos would be symbolized
by spheres. Meaning, a small world within a greater world. This area has its own currency,
newspaper and is dubbed as a “miniature city within a city.”
The size of the Vatican City is very
grand and massive. Monumentality and
hierarchy is important for native Romans
which is why the St. Peter’s Basilica is
grand and it makes its surrounding buildings
look small. Number of rooms 11,000.
The placing of elements such as the
Tiananmen Square, is placed to emphasize
the Church’s power and act as an extension
of its power. It promotes order, and
grandeur of the Basilica. Any other element
or space should give importance and
emphasize the façade of the church. In
terms of Hierarchy, the Vatican City gives Vatican City
the greatest importance on the St. Peter’s Credits: shawnvoyage.com
Basilica making it the highlight of the area.
Aside from the architectural character, there are also symbolic meanings and invisible
factors that is important in the Vatican City. Some of these are religious and cultural influences.
The Vatican City is considered as the capital city of the Catholic Church. Its spaces are intended
for religious gatherings and activities. It also houses the most important doctrines, books, relics
and is the home of the pope. That is why statues of angels and saints are fond around the
complex. It also emanates a feeling of holiness through its style and massiveness.
A significant consideration in the Vatican City is the Heavenly Way, or the axis. In Chinese
architecture, directions and orientations are taken into considerations because of their beliefs and
symbolisms. The Heavenly way passes all the way through the Imperial Palace and it does not
have a start and an end. They believe that the axis is a concept of “beyond”. Originally, there was
an old St. Peter’s Basilica which was
teared down and replaced by the present-
day Basilica. Many people wish that the
Old Basilica should’ve been preserved
rather than creating a new one.

Old and New St. Peter’s Basilica

Credits: alchetron.com& cntraveler.com

FORBIDDEN CITY
The Forbidden City was built during the Ming and Qing Dynasty in the 1400s. It is a
collaborative work of experts of various fields and was reviewed by the Ministry of Works and
proceeded to the emperor. The architectural details will also be seen in its style, plan, layout,
hierarchy and size.
The Ming Style Architecture,
emphasizes on the monumentality, symmetry
and horizontality of the Forbidden City. Some of
the main materials used in this style were kilned
brick and tile. the layout is based on the
Chinese planning principles, originally from the
Zhou dynasty, and used throughout the Han
capital cities. The plan is based on Confucian
principles which is influenced by cosmology
symbolizing the traditions of the numerous
dynasties of China.
The location and layout of the structures Forbidden City
Credits: tripadvisor.ie
are based on fengshui. Lui Bowen relates the
structures and open spaces to the parts of the
human body. An axis runs through the center of the palace which symbolizes the axis from heaven
to earth. The hierarchy and importance of the structures inside the forbidden city can be
distinguished by the tiered terraces which is a major feature of palaces in China. Higher
importance means higher the terraces. The size of the plan is spacious and wide. Number of
rooms is 9,999.
In Chinese architecture, there are a lot of symbolisms and metaphors that can be seen in
their structures and complex. The Chinese are very dependent on their beliefs and culture in
creating structures and buildings. The Forbidden city is based on the Chinese and Confusion
principles. Before, it houses the emperors of the various dynasties in China. It acts as a religious
and political structure that signifies the power of the Chinese Empire. Today, the Forbidden City
became a museum and a relic of the past because of its preserved in pristine condition due to the
reserve, private and conservative use of the dynasties during the earlier years.
A significant consideration in the Forbidden City is the Heavenly Way, or the axis. In
Chinese architecture, directions and orientations are taken into considerations because of their
beliefs and symbolisms. The Heavenly way passes all the way through the Imperial Palace and it
does not have a start and an end. They believe that the axis is a concept of “beyond”.
 One of the famous construction techniques
in Chinese Architecture is the use of Dougongs
which are interlocking brackets that fits perfectly and
does not require nails or glue which makes it flexible
and durable. During the ancient times, kraft paper
and white tissue soaked in tung oil is mainly used as
window materials. During summer, the Forbidden
City could get warm, a specific Zhizhai window is
used to maintain a cool and well-ventilated interior.
The upper part can be tilted and opened, and the
lower part is used to allow more light. (De-Vin , Dougong
Charanjeev, & Min, 2016) Heating the Forbidden Credits: inhabitat.com
City during winter is possible by a Charcoal stove
system connected to tunnels, which are the double-cavity walls or hollow walls in the Forbidden
City, where the heat would pass through the wall of each rooms and reach the clay beds in each
room. (Green Heating System in Forbidden City, 2018)

Opinions/Points of View
o Hierarchy, Culture, Religion and Politics greatly influence Architecture

. Personally, I think that hierarchy is one of the greatest factors that can affect the
architecture plan, façade, and layout of the site. In these examples, it is evident that their
countries give utmost importance to these symbolic structures. The power that the people
inside it have, reflects the exterior and interior of the structures. The more powerful, the
more grand and monumental it is. Culture and beliefs are factors which are also
considered in designing and layout of the plan. In the Vatican City, the Tiananmen Square
is dedicated as an extension of the church which can hold about thousands of people for
mass gatherings. The Forbidden City, is based on fengshui and Confucianism principles.
Before making it as a public, the forbidden city is only for the emperor and its workers. It
is based on the emperor’s activities rather than the people around him.

o The Feeling of Sacredness of the Structures

Both the Vatican City and Forbidden City depicts a great, and sacred structures. From
the exterior, to the interior of the structures, the grandness and majestic feel could be felt by
people visiting these sites. It is important that the architecture of the structures depict what
the purpose of the structure is. Like the Vatican City, it gives the St. Paul Basilica a sacred
and divine focus because of its grandiose and style. The forbidden city, makes the Halls
illuminate and speak power. Architecture is not only about the façade of the structure but
rather how it should feel.

Conclusion
The Vatican City and Forbidden City are notable examples of Architecture that has a
historical significance and impact to the world. Both are well-preserved because of their great
importance to the history of the religion, or the country. It is pleasing that these structures lasted
for hundreds of years because the future generations can witness the culture, and belief from the
earlier times through architecture. Historically, these two structures are well thought of. Every part
of it has a significance and symbolism. The factors that affect the architecture of a place is not
only by its physical properties but with the cultural, environmental and even religious beliefs.
Overall, the Vatican City and Forbidden City are treasures of the world. Both are significant
structures that should be preserved and taken care of. Heritage sites like these would show the
evolution of Architecture throughout the years. And it will also showcase the power of Architecture
and how it would affect the people who visits these sites.

References
De-Vin , W., Charanjeev, G., & Min, T. (2016). Building Services 1- Ventilation in Heritage
Building. Retrieved from slideshare: https://www.slideshare.net/afiqahzariful3/building-
services-1-ventilation-in-heritage-building
Green Heating System in Forbidden City. (2018, April 4). Retrieved from Middle Land:
http://www.themiddleland.com/cultural/eastern/2018/04/04/2404-green-heating-system-
in-forbidden-city

Faune, Kish Amiel N.

2AR-3
October 15, 2019
REACTION PAPER #1
Comparative Analysis (Architecture in China): Forbidden City and Vatican City