See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/331904002

Literature review of the features of Chinese Architecture

Article · March 2017

CITATIONS READS

0 1,548

2 authors:

Liu Xioahu Azaiez Mohamed Saiefeddine

Huazhong University of Science and Technology Huazhong University of Science and Technology
4 PUBLICATIONS   108 CITATIONS    6 PUBLICATIONS   0 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Theoretical Construction and Experimental Verification of an Energy Simulation Model for the Living Wall System View project

SUSTAINBLE DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Azaiez Mohamed Saiefeddine on 20 March 2019.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Literature review of the features of Chinese Architecture
Azaiez Mohamed Saiefeddine,Liu xiao hu
School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China

I. INTRODUCTON :
Architecture is one of the obvious evidences of cultures evolution, and even greatness. And
by focusing on one culture’s architecture we might also get a closer idea about the people believes
and customs. Several ancient buildings are witnessing 4 000 years of one of the longest histories in
the entire world leaving behind the dust of the long time and the rough climate. The Chinese
architecture is unique thanks to the local knowledge related to the land and it’s wealth, the available
materials, and most importantly the rituals and believes.

A vast majority of ancient Chinese architectures may not exist anymore nowadays due to historical
evolution that spans across several thousand years. Yet, drawings are still available for not only
existing architectures but also non-existing ones.

Therefore, this paper is dealing with the main specificities of the Chinese architecture. Hereby, the
history of buildings is studied on behalf of the era in which a building is founded, but according to the
common points that relate them and their evolution in time and space.

II. Common formal characteristics of Chinese architecture:

Ancient Chinese architecture is an important component of the world architectural system.
During its long development, it gradually formed into a style which featured timberwork combining
stone carving, rammed earth construction, bucket arch buildings and many other techniques.
Industrious Chinese laboring people created many architectural miracles such as the Great Wall,
Forbidden City ...

Chinese architectures always tend to emphasize breadth rather than height. The architectural
components, such as tiles, windows, doors, and columns, are repetitive along the horizontal
direction.

Chinese architectures exhibit bilateral symmetric and repetitive features prominently along the
horizontal direction, such as the tiles, bracket sets, columns, windows, and doors. The bay, which is
always odd and bilateral symmetric, is a basic building block indicating the area between columns.
Vertically, the architecture can be roughly subdivided into levels of platform, timber framing and
wall, roof, etc. The timber framing is used to frame the building, which determines the global
structure and dimension of the building, whereas the windows, doors, and walls between the
columns are serving the purpose of separation (Fig. 1.).

The roof (Fig. 2.) is borne by a timber skeleton which consists of columns, beams, purlins, and rafters,
where the cross beams are borne by the columns. The purlins, which are horizontal members bearing
the rafters, are positioned along shoulders of the beams. The rafters are short, stretching down only
from purlin to purlin. The horizontal projections of rafters are equally long, named as bujia, except at
eaves where they are extended, named as chuyan, nevertheless, the height of the raise of purlins
School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology 1
 (i.e., the heights of the small columns on the beams) divided by the bujia, named as jujia, increases as
the purlins rise.

Fig. 1: façade of a typical Chinese building

Fig. 2: main components of a typical Chinese building

III. Decoration features:

The most significant characteristic is the use of timber framework. Paintings and carvings
were added to the architectural work to make it more beautiful and attractive. Ancient Chinese
buildings have a long history which can be traced back to the Shang Dynasty (16th century BC - 771
BC). It has its own principles of structure and layout. Through the long development, many wonders
have been created by industrious and clever laboring people. Ancient architectural miracles are
innumerable ranging from Great Wall, White Horse Temple, Mogao Caves to Summer
Palace and Forbidden City.

School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology 2
 Fig. 3: Intricate painted ceiling of a pavilion

Ancient Chinese architecture is mainly timberwork. Wooden posts, beams, lintels and joists
make up the framework of a house. Walls serve as the separation of rooms without bearing the
weight of the whole house, which is unique to China. As a famous saying goes, 'Chinese houses will
still stand when their walls collapse.' The specialty of wood requires antisepsis methods to be
adopted, thus develops into Chinese own architectural painting decoration. Colored glaze roofs,
windows with exquisite applique design and beautiful flower patterns on wooden pillars reflect the
high-level of the craftsmen's handicraft and their rich imagination.

The layout of a courtyard complex is also unique to China. The main structure is located on
the central axis of a court while less-important structures are located to the left and right. The whole
layout is symmetrical. Compared with European architectural style which is open and shut, a
courtyard is like a hand scroll of painting which should be unfolded little by little. The scenery is
different in each courtyard. Even in moving several steps within the court yard, you will be surprised
at the changing of prospects. Likewise from the interior of the buildings the view from two windows
is never the same.

School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology 3
IV. Architecture styles in China:
Chinese architecture has a great variety of buildings functions distinguishable by the
buildings characteristics, such as the scale, the landscape, the choice of the building’s position, etc…

From the imperial architecture to residential architecture, added to that gardening arts and
landscape design, not forgetting about sacred architecture and temples, each building is different
although the common points we might find.

V. Chinese culture in architecture:

Architecture and culture are closely related to each other. Many buildings contain cultural
connotations. The cultural facts will help people better understand the architectural structure and
the design.

Being an important component of the Chinese gorgeous culture, the imperial architecture records
the great intelligence and creation of the laborious ancient people that had a profound influence on
the design of modern architecture. Generally speaking, it features the highest achievement of the
Chinese ancient architecture that includes imperial palace, mausoleum and garden architecture.

1. Imperial palace :
The long Chinese feudal society saw the construction of numerous palaces, built to satisfy the
emperors' extravagant lifestyles and protect the stateliness of their reign. Served as the venue where
public affairs were dealt with and where the royal family lived, the construction of palaces
emphasized on the splendorous appearance and regular layout. From the E'pang Palace of the Qin
Dynasty (221BC-206BC), Weiyang Palace of the Han Dynasty (206BC-220) to the Forbidden City of the
Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the scale of Chinese imperial palaces became larger and larger. Most of
them are axial symmetrical, with splendid buildings standing at the middle axis and smaller attached
houses located along both sides.

The Forbidden City is a typical example. The general layout often follows two rules: the first being the
ancestral temples must be situated at the front left of the main palace as the left is believed to be
superior, while the front right was reserved for altars for praying to the gods of earth and grain. It is
called 'Zuozu Youshe' in Chinese. The second being emperors handled national affairs at the palace's
forecourt while the rear end was meant for living. In Chinese, this structure is called 'Qianchao
Houqin'. Many distinctive characters were incorporated to indicate the imperial palace. For example,
a pair of stone or copper lion often crouches in front of the main gate to ward off evil influence.

School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology 4
Ornamental columns, carved with exquisite floral designs, soured into the sky. In the Forbidden City,
auspicious jars filled with water were placed in front of the palace. They were not only decorative but
also serve as fire-extinguishers. Because of this important function, they were nicknamed 'Menhai',
the sea of the front door.

2. Traditional Architecture Styles

 Imperial architecture
An Underground Palace --- Ming Tombs
A Chinese imperial mausoleum usually consists of two parts, the divine road and the
burial palace. The marble archway or paifang is the beginning of the divine road and of the whole
Ming Tombs. This carved archway is the largest existent one in China. It bears patterns of clouds
and dragons, which is a characteristic of imperial architecture.
The divine road is a passage in front of the tombs to facilitate the sacrificial ceremonies. The two
hexagon stone pillars are the sign of a divine road. Behind the engraved pillars are 24 stone
animals. They are four horses, four legendary animals called qilin, four elephants, four camels,
four legendary animals called xiezhi, and four lions. Behind the stone animals are 12 stone
figures. Each of these life like statues is carved out of a whole rock. Stone figures and animals
along the divine road serve as guardians and waiters, and the animals are employed to rid evil
spirits and symbolize peace.

School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology 5
 Religious architecture
Chinese Buddhist architecture

It consists of temple, pagoda and grotto. Localization starts right after Buddhist architecture was
introduced into China with Buddhism during the Han dynasty, interpreting Chinese architectural
aesthetics and culture. Chinese Buddhist architecture follows symmetric style strictly. Famous
grottoes are Mogao Caves, Yungang Grottoes and Longmen Grottoes

Taoist architecture

It applies two architectural styles - traditional style and Bagua style. In the former style,
traditional symmetric architectural layout is applied. Main halls are set up on the central axis.
The second is the Bagua style in which all structures surround the Danlu in the center. The center
axis from the south to the north is very long and structures flank the axis. The style reflects Taoist
philosophy that the human cosmos follows the natural cosmos to integrate energy, qi and spirit.

School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology 6
Confucianism and Chinese architecture

A value and ethical system based on "Loyality (忠)", "Filial Piety (孝)", "Chastity (节)",
"Righteousness (义)". Put a strong emphasis on the relationship between ruler and subjects,
father and son, husband and wife as well as the absolute authority of the ruler, father and
husband. Rever 5 virtues such as Benevolence (仁), Righteousness (义), Rite (礼), Wisdom (智),
Trust (信).

 Residential architecture
Traditional Chinese residences reflect the national culture, the sub-culture of a specific
region and that of the ethnic group within it.

seven major styles of traditional domestic architecture

 Beijing’s Hutong and Courtyard

 the Si he yuan in northern China– Courtyard House
 Shikumen - a type of tenement housing unique to Shanghai
 Yaodong in north China
 Seal-like Compound (Yi Ke Yin)
 the earthen buildings (tu lou) of Hakkas

School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology 7
  Miao-style house / the stilt house Diaojiulou.

Beijing 's Hutong and Courtyard

A hutong is a unique form of community that exists only in China . It means a small street or
a lane between two courtyards, or a community within the city consisting of hutong
residences. People name each hutong by various means. A lot of smaller hutongs have been
formed inside bigger hutongs.
the Si he yuan in northern China– Courtyard House
Siheyuan is the traditional courtyard-style residence of Beijing. This architectural style is
world-famous for its unsophisticatedness and elegance as well as its unique artistic
attainment. It is called Siheyuan because the houses in it are constructed in such a way that
zhengfang, xiangfang and daozuo are connected with walls and that the whole complex
creates an enclosed square courtyard. It has been several hundred years since this kind of
architectural form took shape.
"in the dwelling there is a garden, in the
garden there is a house, in the house there
is a courtyard, in the courtyard there is a
tree, on the tree there is the sky, in the sky
there is the moon, what a fortunate life!” Li Yutang

yaodong (窰洞)
A yaodong (窰洞) is a dugout used as an abode or shelter in China. Yaodongs are common in north
China, especially on the Loess Plateau. The history of yaodongs goes back to time immemorial, and
continues today.

Shikumen
History of Shikumen
The origin of shikumen buildings can be traced back to the 1860s when people from southern Jiangsu
and northern Zhejiang ran into the foreign settlements in Shanghai due to the Taiping Heavenly
Uprising.
A valuable Architectural Legacy
It is a combination of Eastern and Western architectural styles featuring the traditional Eastern grey
brick door lintels with a Western style of decorative engraving on the walls.
Seal-like Compound (Yi Ke Yin)
In southern China 's Kunming , Yunnan Province, there is a variation of Siheyuan. Here the courtyard
compounds are called YikeYin, which is Chinese for “seal” because when viewed from above the

School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology 8
layout resembles the familiar shape of the square seal to be seen on Chinese documents and
paintings.

Tulou (Earthen Building)

Three types of Hakka dwellings:
 Phoenix house 五鳳樓
 Round house 土樓，圓屋
 Piang Fong 平房 (flat house)
The buildings are usually formed in two or three circles. The kitchen and dining room will be found on
the first floor. The second floor is used as warehousing, and the third and fourth floors contain
bedrooms. The inner circle is 2-storied with 30 to 50 rooms which function as guesthouses. In the
middle is a rectangular hall, a public place for several hundred inhabitants.

Actually the Tulou were built by a minority called the Hakka, who were originally Han who fled
south to escape war and famine during the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC). As they gradually moved they
changed the local architecture by incorporating Han styles and that produced the tulou. Not only
were the high walls built for defense but they were also the result of traditional Han architecture.
Tulou were mostly built between the 12th to the 20th centuries. The oldest one was constructed
over 1,200 years ago and is regarded as a "living fossil" of the construction style of central China .
There are three types of tulou. The Wufeng has three halls and two side rooms and are said to be the
result of a redesign of the Han courtyard. The oldest tulou are the rectangle ones, and the most
emblematic ones are round. They are typically designed for defensive purposes and consist of one
entrance and no windows at ground level. The biggest round one can have up to five stories with
three interior rings. The largest houses cover over 40,000 m² and it is not unusual to find surviving
houses of over 10,000 m². Most round tulous are three or four stories, with family kitchens and

School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology 9
 livestock on the ground floor. The next floor becomes a storage room for food and furniture (with no
windows), and above that are the bedrooms. These structures are exemplary of sustainable
architecture in that they are built of local, natural materials with simple techniques. They have good
thermal attributes, with the massive earthen walls to help buffer temperatures. They are obviously
built to last, and house many of the necessities for life. And they embody a communal life style that
conserves energy and resources; these represent a form of ancient co-housing.

Diaojiulou (House on Stilt)

Diaojiaolou (literally means hanging attic) is a residential house with a dense architectural flavor of
the ethnic minority in the southwestern Yunnan Province. The wooden building is built close to the
mountain or above the river with an extended floor space. These houses are usually built on slopes
with only support poles and no foundations, and are entirely made of wood without iron

3. Chinese Temples
Temples symbolize the long history and rich culture of China, and are regarded as valuable art
treasures. There are many different religions in China, such as the Buddhism, Christianity and Islam
introduced from other regions, as well as Taoism and Confucianism, the native-born religions. Of
course, temples or houses of worship of different religions differ.
Chinese temples are well kept cultural artifacts of every dynasty. And temple culture has
influenced every aspect of Chinese people's life such as painting, calligraphy, music, sculpture,
architecture, temple fairs, folk-customs and many others. The following are typical religious
architectural styles in China.
Chinese temples want to express the concept of the integration of heaven and humanity, that is,
human beings is a part of nature. Followed by this idea, many temples actively embrace themselves
into nature. The building integrated with nature is exactly the embodiment of the integration of
heaven and humanity. This is to explain why many Chinese temples are located in mountains and
forests.

VI. Chinese Architecture Culture

You may find much Chinese ancient architecture, is often composed of small yards. Instead of
pursuing the over-dimensioned architecture such as western cathedrals, Chinese ancient people
designed housings fit human dimensions so that they may feel intimate and safe, and this idea
reflects the practical thinking in Chinese culture.
School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology 10
 Chinese people practice moderation in all things and they don't lay emphasis on strong self-
expression but seek modesty and gentleness. The influence of this spirit on architecture is
characterized by pursuing sense and connotation.
Fengshui : traditional theory especially directs the process of architectural construction on the
basis of the culture of the Book of Change. Its emphasis is concerned with the harmonious unity of
human beings with nature.
It is generally believed that Qin fire had all feng shui books burned. The most authoritative work
is “Qing Nang Jing” given by Huang Shi Gong to Zhang Liang during the late Qin Dynasty. In the Tang
Dynasty, Yang Yun Song and his disciples wrote several books that are considered the most
authoritative work by all feng shui schools.
Qi(气), the energy of the universe, is carried in the wind and retained within water. Both
elements were used as a way of directing Qi
Feng shui is not only a practice that is related to physical space, but also to the inhabitants of the
space itself, as both are interconnected.
The goal of feng shui guidelines is to locate and orient dwellings, possessions, land and
landscaping, etc., so as to be attuned with the flow of qi.
Fundamental to feng shui is the idea that yin and yang are the two basic principles underlying all
matter and energy in the universe. These forces are opposites, but are not in opposition. Rather, they
are complementary and need each other to exist and flourish. The constantly changing interactions
of yin and yang give rise to the infinite variety of patterns in life.

VII. Environment and materials:

Since ancient times, the selection of a building site has been considered as an important link by
Chinese people in building construction. From observation and comprehension through nature
phenomena and disasters to buildings in different topography, the Chinese people have obtained a
lot of perceptual knowledge and experience in selecting a building set. Ancient cities, villages,
temples, pagodas and houses conserved to now are all built at places flat and wide with dense soil or
gentle slopes near mountains.

1. Chinese Wooden Building

School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology 11
 One of the characteristics of traditional Chinese architecture is the use of wooden structural
frame with pillars, beams. The doors and windows are also made by timber. Chinese have used wood
as a main construction material for thousands of years.
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.

Mortise and Tenon has been found in ancient structures from ceremonial boats in ancient Egypt
and Stonehenge.

School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology 12
 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.

2. Bamboo
China is the kingdom of bamboo: from the Yellow River basin in the north to Hainan island in the
south, from Taiwan in the east to Tibet in the west, bamboos are naturally distributed, most species
are raised in south of the Yangtze river. Chinese people, especially the literati class, are so fond of
bamboo in a way that it seems to become a symbol of poetic character and life style quality, leaving
traces everywhere in Chinese culture. The following descriptions of bamboo all contain the deep love
of this unique resource: Song Zhiwen says: “How can I live without it for one day”, while Bai Juyi tells:
“ Several rods of green bamboo, such as sentient beings to me” , ”Sitting alone in the quiet bamboo
grove, I whistle for a while and play the flute” Wang Wei, “I would rather eat no meat than live
without bamboo. No meat makes people thin, no bamboo makes people vulgar” Su Dongpo. Zheng
Banqiao once wrote “never move in a house without bamboo”, which means that even though living
in a rented house, the presence of bamboo is compulsory. Su Dongpo emphasizes on the importance
of bamboo in the Chinese culture since people “eat bamboo shoots, have bamboo to cover their
roof, make boats with bamboo, cook with bamboo as firewood, wear clothes made of bamboo skin,
write on bamboo paper, walk with bamboo shoes”.
In the history of landscape and architecture, bamboo was one of the main elements of
gardening since the early Wei and Jin Dynasties. Most of the private gardens created in Li Gefei’s
“Famous Gardens in Luoyang” had bamboo landscapes while regarding “one third of water one half
of bamboo an entire house” as ideal residential model. Afterwards in the “Art of Gardening”,
various kinds of building and landscape skills using bamboo was concluded, such as “building houses
in groves of bamboo”, “finding serenity in bamboo docks”, and “transplanting bamboo to be a
window”.

School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology 13
VIII. Conclusion

China is a large country with a 5000 years history, with unique natural environments, philosophy
and aesthetics result in a special culture which has a profound effect on architecture and other kinds
of art, such as painting and poetry.
China is the world's fastest-growing major economy, with an average growth rate of 10% for the
past 30 years. Observing the vast landscape of Chinese architecture, one can conclude that the whole
country is pursuing modernity fanatically.
In this rapid economic growth, modernity is usually regarded as an advanced style. By contrast,
tradition means out of fashion, the monotony of “traditional form” has been replaced by
commercial, money-oriented and flashy forms that most clients favor. Commercial benefit has
become the only thing people pursue, the protection of tradition, environment become the
secondary issues. “Chinese society lacks a serious contemplation of its social value and ultimate goal
in the turbulence of globalization.
References:

 Adshead, S.A.M. "Timber as a Factor in Chinese History: Problems, Sources and Hypotheses." In
Proceedings of the First International Symposium on Asian Studies, vol. 1, pp. 1-6. Hong Kong: Asian
Research Service, 1979. [(Gest) DS1.5.x15 1979] /BldgT
 Ayscough, Florence. "Notes on the Symbolism of the Purple Forbidden City." Journal of the North
China Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society 52 (1921), pp. 51-78. /Gen /Urb:Beijing /Imp /Theo
 Yin Yu Tang: The Architecture and Daily Life of a Chinese House. Boston: Tuttle
Publishing, 2003. (SA)
 Courtyard House in China: Tradition and Present. Translated by D. Q. Stephenson.
Basel: Birkh auser, 1979. [(SA) NA7448 .B55; (UES) NA7523 .B55] /Vern
 Chinese Traditional Architecture. Edited by Nancy S. Steinhardt. New York: China
Institute, 1984. [(SA) NA1543.S84; (UES) ibid.] /Gen
 Clunas, Craig. Chinese Furniture. London: Bamboo Publishing, 1988. [(SA)
NK2668.C53] /Furn
 Dorn, Frank. The Forbidden City: The Biography of a Palace. New York: Scribner's,
1970. /Urb:Beijing /Imp
 Fan Wei. "Village Fengshui Principles." In Ronald Knapp, editor, Chinese Landscapes: The
Village as Place, pp. 35-45. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1992. /FS /Theo
 Ferguson, John C. "Architecture." In John Ferguson, Survey of Chinese Art, pp. 95-108.
Shanghai: Commercial Press, 1939. [(SA) N7340.F38]/Gen
 Golany, Gideon. Chinese Earth-Sheltered Dwellings: Indigenous Lessons for Modern
Urban Design. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1992. [(UES) NA7448 .G6 1992]
/Vern.

School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology 14

View publication stats