REACTION PAPER ON CHINESE ARCHITECTURE

BERNAL, AIDYL KATE A. BSAR-2B MARCH 26, 2021

AR. EDISON T. LONGCOP, UAP,NAMPAP, PIEP

What is Chinese Architecture? The answer to this question was the focus of today’s lecture.
Although the question is broad in its sense, the various features that encompass the architectural
style of the Ancient Chinese structure that is focused on traditional residential houses as well as the
feng shui design principles were presented. The types of early dwellings during the New stone age in
China, which are the Nest type existing in the North, and the Cave Type (Yaodong) of the Hemudo
Culture prevalent in the South were first introduced. It is noteworthy that these ancient dwellings
are the basis of many structures. The Hillside Yaodong might be the archetype of arched structures
such as bridges and tombs, while the Sunken courtyard Yaodong might be the prototype of above
ground courtyards.

 The Siheyuan, the above ground courtyard, which literally means a courtyard surrounded by
buildings on all four sides, was the basic pattern used for residences, palaces and even temples and
monasteries as well as family businesses. It is important to remember that the four buildings of a
siheyuan are positioned along the north-south and east-west axis and are oriented on the south in
which they believe that south facing is the most respectable orientation. In the rear of the dwelling
with higher exposure to sunlight is a home for elderly members or ancestral plaques of the
household, on the east and west axis are for the junior members, and the buildings near the front
are typically for hired help and servants of the household.

Feng shui as a geomancy has been around for 3,500 years and plays a huge role in Chinese
architecture. How courtyard houses are built in accordance with the traditional concepts of five
elements, how the gate was made on the southeast corner "wind" and the main house on the north,
which was "water", proves that feng shui is constant in the design process.

The lecture helped me broaden my perspective about ancient Chinese dwellings. In fact, it
made me pose questions, particularly about the Sunken courtyard yaodong. Why would these
people excavate and build this particular structure where they could have just constructed houses
above ground using all sorts of materials available? After further readings, I understood that there is
good use of land, low cost, low impact on the environment, and this particular structure has a
comfortable thermal environment. Furthermore, up to this modern era, many yaodong still exist,
which signifies how this architecture yearns for timelessness. In addition, I was in awe when I found
out what feng shui literally implies. The concepts of five elements as what have been discussed really
have that practical sense. Their features, like the entrance gate with painted vermillion, a screen
wall, a pair of stone lions outside, aren’t just for appearances. Thus, when we recognize the
underlying concept, it strengthens its elegance.

Finally, learning about Chinese architecture allowed us to experience elegance, utility,

practicality, and how ancient times have left an impression on our current environment.