College of Environmental Design
Department of Architecture, UC Berkeley
Architecture Slide Library
Arch 170A Fall 1995 James Study Aid 19
I. Chinese architectural system based on a timber-framed module called a jian or bay. Odd number strung along an axis, when not subdivided into individual rooms, comprise a hall or ting. Raised-beam construction (tai-liang) capped by a variety of roof designs, in which roof is extended out beyond the wall by interlocking brackets. Regulations determine appropriate roof and bracket forms. Arrangement of pavilions into courts. Same system of space-making and construction applied to most functions. Also used in planning extremely regular cities, such as Wangcheng (Image) (later Luoyi), after 1000 BCE (nine squares with the imperial palace at the center) and Ch'ang-an (modern Xian), rebuilt in 581: gridded city with broad avenues, walled lifang, or neighborhoods, and two market districts. Imperial palace at top of main avenue; irregular plan of water system and gardens. Breakdown of ideal geometry as commerce expands. Feng shui determined many aspects of siting.
II. Gradual assimilation of Buddhist architecture into Chinese architectural system. Chinese cave temples: Mogao Grottoes, Dunhuang, begun 366 (Chinese-style porticoes in front of small excavated temples with painted interiors) and more monumental scale of Longmen Caves, Luoyang, 6th century (Giant Buddha carved into cliffs above Yi River). Three early pagodas (Chinese version of a stupa): Songyue Si Pagoda, Song Shan Mountains, 523; Youguo Di Pagoda, Kaifeng, 1109, Fogong Temple Pagoda, Yingxian, 1056 (Image 1) (last notable for its integration Chinese wooden constructional system into this imported form). Eventual emphasis on temple halls rather than pagodas as in Foguang Temple, Wutai Mountains, begun 857 (main hall lifted above court), and temples in which main buildings strung along along an axis form multiple courts: Shanhua Temple, Datong, rebuilt 1128 and Lower Guansheng Temple, Hongdong, 1324 ( Image).
III. Application of Chinese architectural system abroad versus continuity of local traditions: architecture around Kyongji ( Image 1 or Image ) capital of United Shilla (668-935) Korea. Emperor equated with Buddha in stupa-like tombs. Integration of Chinese and Indian construction with local prehistoric megalithic architectural traditions in 8th century Buddhist temples: Sokkuram, a rock-cut temple with a seated Buddha in its inner chamber, and Monastery of Pulguk-sa, rebuilt in 752 by Emperor Kyongdok (latter contains two small stone pagodas, understood as representations of the Buddha, the oldest of which was begun in 535).
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