CHINESE

ARCHITECTURE
HISTORY
(Neolithic Period- Ming Dynasty)
NEOLITHIC PERIOD
Pre-1600 BC

Prominent Structures:

CIRCULAR BUILDINGS WITH CONICAL ROOF

Built above the ground

SQUARE BUILDINGS WITH PYRAMIDAL

ROOF

Constructed half below the surface of the

ground
THE SHANG DYNASTY
c. 1600- 1046 BC

Prominent Structures:
RECTANGULAR HOUSES WITH INCLINED
THATCHED ROOF
Used wooden columns all around the
building for support

PALACE/TEMPLE AT THE CENTER OF THE

CITY
Used for religious purposes (prayers and
rituals)
THE ZHOU DYNASTY
1046- 206 BC

Prominent Structures:
LONG DEFENSIVE WALLS Tomb of Li Dan

MOURNING HALLS
TOMBS
ALTARS

the original bracketing system was applied.

BRICKS and ROOF TILES were created
Ritual Altar Table and wine vessel set
THE QIN & HAN DYNASTY
221 BC - 220 AD

Prominent Structures:
GREAT PALACES AND PAVILIONS
The Terracotta Army
THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA
techniques used for timber buildings
gradually improved & were perfected
PAINTINGS, SILKS, & CERAMICS became
part of the buildings
The Terracotta Army was part of the first
emperor’s huge mausoleum The Great Wall of China
THE 3 KINGDOMS PERIOD &
THE 6 DYNASTIES
220-280, 220- 589

Prominent Structures:
BUDDHIST MONASTERIES & TEMPLES

The ruling house started to be fully aware

of religious importance
GOLDEN AGE (THE SUI AND
TANG DYNASTIES
581 - 618, 618 - 907
Prominent Structures:
BUDDHIST PAGODAS

Use of bricks were more common

Influenced Korea & Japan
THE SONG DYNASTY
960 - 1279

Prominent Structures:
EXTRAVAGANT PALACES
BUDDHIST PAGODAS
LAVISH MAUSOLEUM

Smaller building size, but more diverse in

nature
THE YUAN DYNASTY
1279 - 1368

Acknowledged as the most important time of

the ORNATE FEATURES on ROOFS,
BRACKETS, OVERHANGS, and ELEVATED
TERRACES
THE MING DYNASTY &
QING DYNASTY
1368- 1644, 1644- 1912

The novelty of ancient Chinese architecture

reached its peak

The grandeur of the Forbidden City was

well-maintained and successively rebuilt
over the centuries
THE MING DYNASTY
1368- 1644

Hailed the Imperial Dynasty of China

China reached the rise of modern Chinese

architecture

The last dynasty known for its orthodox and

devout ruling
 CHaracteristics
of

chinese ARCHITECTURE
Lumber Construction
Seismic activity and frequent flood
disasters prompted the people to
build flexibly using wood for most
buildings. The thick forests then were a
ready supply of lumber. The wooden
architecture has distinctive features that
changed little from the Zhou Dynasty
(1045–221 BC) era up until early modern
times when China adopted Western
architecture.
Heavy Overhanging Roofs

Noticeable feature of the traditional wooden

buildings are the heavy ceramic tiled roofs with
wide eaves and slightly upturned corners.
The builders considered it important to cover
wooden buildings with overhanging roofs.
This was to protect the building
from weathering since wood rots much faster
when it is wet. The wide eaves also provided
shade in the summer, and in the winter, the
slanted sunlight warmed the buildings
Heavy Overhanging Roofs

the eaves were not supported by columns past

the walls. The eaves might overhang the walls by
several meters. Since ancient times, durable
ceramic tiles were the favorite roofing material,
but they were heavy.
Rammed Earth Buildings

In Places where a clan's compound

faced the danger of attack such as the
Hakka villages in Fujian, people built
earthen buildings 土楼 (tǔlóu). In these
compounds, thick walls of rammed
earth and sometimes bricks and stone
were built in a circle without windows,
and inside dwellings were constructed.
Wooden Courtyard
Compounds

In most areas, where the clan

families felt safe enough to live
permanently and did not have to
face frequent attacks and wood
was plentiful, the clans built
easily modifiable wooden
courtyard compounds for three
generations. This is the typical
style for clans that could afford
to build and maintain such
compounds
 Wooden Courtyard
Compounds

The south facing orientation had a

practical reason. When courtyards were
built with taller buildings in the north
north and in the south shorter walls facing
east and the west, it allowed the maximum
amount of
sunlight to warm the building during the
winter months when the sunlight was
angled strongly from the south
 Symmetrical Layouts

Symmetrical layouts of the compound

with the larger main building in the center
of the compound flanked on all sides by
smaller ones or gates placed symmetrically
helped to buffer the important main
building from the elements or attacks
from the outside. So the side and
southern buildings blocked the wind and
also shielded the main northern building
from arrows or other projectiles of
attackers
 Single-Story Construction

One- Story buildings survive earthquakes

and storm winds better than multistory
buildings. It is more difficult to build
strong multistory buildings with wood.
So for both commoner dwellings and the
residences of the rich clans, officials, and
the imperial clans, low buildings were the
preferred style except in the southeastern
corner of China where there is little
earthquake activity.
 Fengshui Design Principles

Fengshui is geomancy. The principles of

this philosophy/religion dictates how to
locate, orient, and build habitations and
towns for the best effect. It accords with
Taoist ideals of harmony. These design
ideals were thought to promote the
occupants' health, wealth and happiness,
and through following these principles,
builders thought to direct the flow of the qi
energy as part of Traditional Chinese
Medicine practice.
 Heaven Worship and South-
North Orientation

Since ancient times, it was believed that

Heaven was at the North Star, and this was
where the supreme god who was
originator of the earth, China and all
people lived. They believed this because
the stars and all of Heaven seemed to
wheel around it.
 Heaven Worship and South-
North Orientation

The south-north orientation and religious

and social order is apparent in the
construction of the Forbidden City, the
Temple of Heaven, and the Ming Tombs.
Heaven worship is most clearly seen in the
designs of the Forbidden City and Temple
of Heaven.
 Hierarchical Layout

Since ancient times, the society was

hierarchically stratified as espoused in the
teachings of Confucius (~551–479 BC) and
other ancient teachers. All through history,
the societies have been strongly
hierarchical with the emperor or king at
the top, parents served by the children in
the tradition of filial piety, and the
servants or slaves at the bottom. The rulers
of a clan and of the nation aimed to
promote their status by having the biggest
and most imposing dwellings.
 The Predominant Role of
Emperors

Ancient Chinese imperial buildings

included palaces, government offices, and
military defensive projects. The imperial
dynasties demonstrated the political
control of the particular era by building
the largest, most imposing structures.
Generally, their architectural
style was formal and solemn, and they
were centrally located and built in grand
scale in order to promulgate the society's
formal hierarchical order. Emperor Wu of Han
GENERAL FEATURES OF
CHINESE
ARCHITECTURE
 Since ancient times, the people built wooden buildings, structures
built with rammed earth, and buildings and structures built with stone
or brick. Each of these kinds of construction had different features.
The buildings were built to survive the frequent earthquake, typhoon
and flood disasters and to be easier to rebuild. Along with
survivability and ease of renovation, the buildings reflected and
helped to propagate social order and religion.
PREFERENCE FOR TIMBER CONSTRUCTION
China's culture originated thousands of years ago along the
Yellow River and Yangtze River. In the environment of the
river basins, the seismic activity and frequent flood disasters
prompted the people to build flexibly using wood for most
buildings.

The thick forests then were a ready supply of lumber. The

wooden architecture has distinctive features that changed little
from the Zhou Dynasty (1045–221 BC) era up until early
modern times when China adopted Western architecture.
The basic features of traditional lumber architecture were
a stamped earth base, load bearing wooden pillars that
were not planted into the foundation, and slightly flexible
brackets. These design features made the buildings
resilient to earthquake and storms, and they also allowed
for reconfiguration, expansion and reconstruction if the
buildings were damaged.
A timber hall built in 857 during the Timber construction used in the
Tang dynasty, located at the Pagoda of Fogong Temple located
Buddhist Foguang Temple of in Shouzhou
Mount Wutai, Shanxi
 Heavy Overhanging Roofs
A noticeable feature of the traditional wooden
buildings are the heavy ceramic tiled roofs with
wide eaves and slightly upturned corners. The
builders considered it important to cover wooden
buildings with overhanging roofs. This was to
protect the building from weathering since wood
rots much faster when it is wet. The wide eaves also
provided shade in the summer, and in the winter,
the slanted sunlight warmed the buildings.
Flying roof eaves of the Ling Yen Mountain Upward curving roofs of a building in the
Temple located in Richmond, Canada Shaolin Monastery located in Zhengzhou
 Rammed earth Buildings
In places where a clan's compound faced the danger
of attack such as the Hakka villages in Fujian,
people built earthen buildings 土楼 (tǔlóu). In these
compounds, thick walls of rammed earth and
sometimes bricks and stone were built in a circle
without windows, and inside dwellings were
constructed.
Colony of rammed earth buildings located in
Fujian Province
Wooden courtyard compounds
In most areas, where the clan families felt safe
enough to live permanently and did have not face
frequent attacks and wood was plentiful, the clans
built easily modifiable wooden courtyard
compounds for three generations. This is the
typical style for clans that could afford to build and
maintain such compounds.
 South Facing Orientation
The south facing orientation had a practical reason.
When courtyards were built with taller buildings in
the north and in the south shorter walls facing east
and the west, it allowed the maximum amount of
sunlight to warm the building during the winter
months when the sunlight was angled strongly from
the south.
This is why the door and windows of the main
building faced southwards and opened over the
inner courtyard that let in the sunlight. So the main
building that held the ranking older members of
the family who also most needed warmer living
quarters during the winter was placed to the north
of the courtyard.
On the south side of the compound were the
servants and guard quarters near the main gate to
the compound that was always placed on the
southern side of the compound. In this way, if
enemies entered, they would have to pass by the
servants and guards first before they reached the
children and younger married couples quarters on
either flank. The most protected building furthest
from the gate was the main house for the
older/ranking members.
 symmetrical layout
Symmetrical layouts of the compound with the
larger main building in the center of the compound
flanked on all sides by smaller ones or gates placed
symmetrically helped to buffer the important main
building from the elements or attacks from the
outside. So the side and southern buildings blocked
the wind and also shielded the main northern
building from arrows or other projectiles of
attackers.
 single story construction
One-story buildings survive earthquakes and storm winds
better than multistory buildings. It is more difficult to
build strong multistory buildings with wood. So for both
commoner dwellings and the residences of the rich clans,
officials, and the imperial clans, low buildings were the
preferred style except in the southeastern part of China
where there is little earthquake activity. There, if a clan
could afford it, they could build two-story buildings. A
thick, tall wall sometimes served to protect their buildings
from occasional typhoons.
 variety of colors and decors
Chinese buildings may be built with either red or
grey bricks, but wooden structures are the most
common; these are more capable of withstanding
earthquakes, but are vulnerable to fire.
Heaven Worship and South-North
Orientation
Since ancient times, it was believed that Heaven was at the North
Star, and this was where the supreme god who was originator of
the earth, China and all people lived. They believed this because
the stars and all of Heaven seemed to wheel around it.
Since ancient times, it was believed that Heaven was at the North
Star, and this was where the supreme god who was originator of
the earth, China and all people lived. They believed this because
the stars and all of Heaven seemed to wheel around it.
 hierarchical layout
Their choice of layout of their compounds was not only due to
practical reasons. The design and layout tended to reinforce social
and religious ideas and the dominant status and role of clan
rulers.
Since ancient times, the society was hierarchically stratified as
espoused in the teachings of Confucius (~551–479 BC) and other
ancient teachers. All through history, the societies have been
strongly hierarchical with the emperor or king at the top, parents
served by the children in the tradition of filial piety, and the
servants or slaves at the bottom. The rulers of a clan and of the
nation aimed to promote their status by having the biggest and
most imposing dwellings.
Reflecting the traditional social code, according to the tradition of filial piety, a
clan's compound was usually sectioned into three parts if they could afford the
expense. In the most important, choice northern section, the heads of the clan
who were usually the eldest, the grandparents, lived in the biggest and tallest
structures. Their children lived in the middle section with their children, and
the less important relatives, servants, and guards lived in the smallest quarters
on the south.
To impress their dominance, the clan rulers would almost always live in the
tallest and biggest structure. It was against their rules for others of lower rank to
live in a similar-sized or bigger dwelling. They would sit in the highest seat and
have the biggest dwellings, and this served to psychologically impress
subservience on those of lower rank. The lowest class were housed in the
smallest dwellings, so they would feel that they were subservient and less
important socially, and thus the design of the structures served to preserve the
social order.
The predominant role of emperors
Ancient Chinese imperial buildings included palaces, government
offices, and military defensive projects. The imperial dynasties
demonstrated the political control of the particular era by
building the largest, most imposing structures. Generally, their
architectural style was formal and solemn, and they were
centrally located and built in grand scale in order to promulgate
the society's formal hierarchical order
The Temple of Heaven was one of the three tallest buildings in
Beijing at 38 meters (125 feet) when it was built by the Ming court.
It was equal in height to the two tallest buildings in the Forbidden
City, the Hall of Supreme Harmony and the Wu Gate, that both
measured about 38 meters (125 feet high) at the roof ridge.
The emperors' Hall of Supreme Harmony was the biggest and tallest building
in the Forbidden City for court functions, and to the north of it in the
emperors' residential inner courtyard, the second biggest building of the palace
complex, the Palace of Heavenly Purity, was originally built to be the dwelling
of the emperors. In the Qing Dynasty, however, emperors started to use it for
other purposes. The empresses' smaller palace was set to the north.

Twice a year, the emperors would go to the Temple of Heaven to perform

special sacrifices and ceremonies that were thought to be essential for the
continuance and blessing of their domains. The extreme size of the buildings of
the emperors and of the Temple of Heaven marked both the importance of the
emperors who were worshiped as gods, and the importance of their religious
functions in society. Others were not allowed to build bigger buildings than
theirs throughout the whole empire.
ancient chinese
ARCHITECTURE
 pagoda
The oldest and tallest pagodas were built of wood, but most that survived were built of
brick or stone.

is an Asian tiered tower with multiple eaves common to Thailand, Cambodia,

Nepal, China, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Vietnam, and other parts of Asia.
traditional part of Chinese architecture and religious use.

Some pagodas are solid with no interior. Hollow pagodas have no higher floors or rooms, but the interior
often contains an altar or a smaller pagoda, as well as a series of staircases for the visitor to ascend and to
witness the view from an opening on one side of each tier. Most have between three and 13 tiers (almost
always an odd number) and the classic gradual tiered eaves.
sonyue pagoda
Songyue Monastery, Mount Song, in Henan province, China.

Built during the Northern Wei Dynasty, this

pagoda is one of the few intact sixth-century
pagodas in China and is also the earliest known
Chinese brick pagoda.

The pagoda has had a changing shape over time

from its Indian Buddhist origins to its form in
China. The unique many-sided shape of the
Songyue Pagoda suggests that it represents an
early attempt to merge the Chinese architecture
of straight edges with the circular style of
Buddhism from the Indian subcontinent.
 porcelain tower
of nanjing
Qinhuai District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.

It was a pagoda constructed in the 15th century

during the Ming dynasty, but was mostly
destroyed in the 19th century during the course of
the Taiping Rebellion. A modern, full-size replica
of it now exists in Nanjing.

The Porcelain Tower of Nanjing, part of the

former Great Bao'en Temple, is a historical site
located on the south bank of external Qinhuai
River in Nanjing, China.
temple of heaven
Tiantan E Rd, Dongcheng, China,

is a complex of imperial religious buildings

situated in the southeastern part of central
Beijing. The complex was visited by the
Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for
annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for a
good harvest.

The Temple of Heaven was inscribed as a World

Heritage site in 1998 and was described as "a
masterpiece of architecture and landscape design
which simply and graphically illustrates a
cosmogony of great importance for the evolution of
one of the world's great civilizations..." as the
"symbolic layout and design of the Temple of
Heaven had a profound influence on architecture
and planning in the Far East over many centuries."
[1]
 Pai-lou

A paifang, also known

as a pailou, is a
traditional style of
Chinese architecture,
often used in arch or
gateway structures.
 THE GREAT WALL OF
CHINA
Beijing, China

is a series of fortifications that

were built across the historical
northern borders of ancient
Chinese states and Imperial
China as protection against
various nomadic groups from
the Eurasian Steppe.
 Forbidden city:
tiananmen square
Beijing, China

is a city square in the city center of Beijing,

China, named after the eponymous
Tiananmen ("Gate of Heavenly Peace")
located to its north, which separates it from
the Forbidden City. The square contains the
Monument to the People's Heroes, the Great
Hall of the People, the National Museum of
China, and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.
Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the
People's Republic of China in the square on
October 1, 1949
 Modern Chinese
Architecture:
A Blend of Tradition and
Innovation
 Modern Chinese architecture, from the mid-
19th century to the establishment of the
People's Republic of China in 1949, blends
traditional Chinese and Western styles. This
dynamic evolution, spurred by the Opium War
in 1840, continues today. Rapid economic
growth, urbanization, and globalization have
shaped modern Chinese architecture, marrying
traditional principles with cutting-edge
innovations.
 Key Characteristics of Modern Chinese
Architecture:

1. Skyscrapers and Urbanization

2. Cultural Symbolism
3. Sustainable Design
4. Integration of Technology
Skyscrapers and
Urbanization
China's major cities boast iconic
skylines dominated by sleek skyscrapers.
Cities like Shanghai and Beijing showcase a
blend of Western modernism and Chinese
aesthetics.

Notable examples include the

Shanghai Tower, which incorporates
traditional Chinese design elements, and
the CCTV Headquarters in Beijing, known
for its bold and unconventional
architecture.
Cultural Symbolism Modern Chinese architects often
incorporate cultural symbols and
motifs into their designs,
fostering a connection between
the contemporary and the
historical. For instance, the
Beijing National Stadium, also
known as the Bird's Nest, is a
symbol of modern China,
constructed for the 2008
Olympics.
 Sustainable
Design
With a growing emphasis on
sustainability, many architects in
China are integrating green
building practices and eco-
friendly designs. This includes
the use of renewable energy
sources, green roofs, and energy-
efficient materials.

Commercial and Retail project in Amsterdam's Zuidas

business district.
AR. Ma Yansong
 Integration of Technology Modern Chinese
architects leverage
advanced
technologies in their
designs. From
parametric
modeling to 3D
printing, technology
plays a significant
role in the
conceptualization
and construction
phases.
Harbin Grand Theater
Mǎ Yánsōng 马岩松 (MAD Architects)
Comparison with Historical
Architectural Styles
 Traditional
Chinese Architecture
Traditional Chinese architecture is
characterized by wooden structures, curved roofs,
and intricate ornamentation. Examples include Neo CCTV Tower in Beijing
the Forbidden City in Beijing and classical
Chinese gardens like the Humble Administrator's
Garden in Suzhou.

Contrasting with the horizontal emphasis in

traditional designs, modern architecture tends to
feature verticality and bold geometric shapes.

Humble Administrator’s Garden in Suzhou

 Imperial Palaces
and Temples
Imperial palaces, such as the
Forbidden City, were designed with a strict
hierarchy of spaces and a focus on axial
symmetry. Modern architecture often
deviates from this symmetrical approach in
favor of more dynamic and asymmetrical
The Forbidden City in Beijing
designs.
 Courtyards
and Gardens
Traditional Chinese architecture places
a strong emphasis on courtyard layouts and Vertical Forest in China

gardens for harmony with nature. Modern

designs often incorporate green spaces but
may prioritize vertical gardens or rooftop
gardens due to limited space in urban
environments.

Traditional Garden in China

 Materials and
Techniques
While traditional Chinese architecture
extensively uses wood, modern architects
often opt for materials like steel, glass, and
concrete. The use of innovative
construction techniques and materials
allows for greater flexibility and creative
expression.

Ningbo History Museum

by Amateur Architecture
Studio
 Conclusion:
Modern Chinese architecture reflects the country's dynamic transformation
and its ability to balance tradition with innovation. From soaring skyscrapers to
eco-friendly designs, architects in China continue to push boundaries, creating a
unique architectural landscape that honors the past while embracing the future.
The interplay between historical influences and contemporary trends makes
Chinese architecture a captivating subject of study and admiration.