Chinese Traditional Houses and Architecture (excerpts from four documentaries) Part II

This is the part II of my post regarding Chinese Traditional Houses and Architecture. Please do check-out my previous post. 

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In the third documentary I have seen. I’m sure architects or engineers will be interested in this one. It is a summary with regards to building Chinese traditional houses, and the use of timber. This documentary is helpful and an indispensable one with regards to appreciating and knowing more about Chinese architecture.

We are also given a glimpse of the Chinese tradition and  superstitious beliefs when building or constructing a house.

Images from this blog are from Google Images. (Below is a photo of Fujian Tuluo house, and a Chinese scholar's room)

  

Chinese Traditional Architectural Craftsmanship for Timber-Framed Structures (UNESCO)

Traditional Chinese architecture craftsmanship for timber frame structures has its own unique system and characteristic through thousands of years of developing. With so much rich experience accumulated overtime Chinese craftsmen have developed very sound technical methods regarding the choice of building materials types of framework, manufacturing of components, installation and so on which has been handed down from masters through their apprentices through examples and verbal instructions.By employing the architectural craftsmanship various kinds of architectures  such as palaces, temples, gardens, residential houses, and assembly halls cater to the needs of people from all walks of life reflects Chinese people view of the universe  the traditional Chinese hierarchy society as well as interpersonal relationship and demonstrate the wisdom of ancient technology not only are they they the projections of Chinese people’s unique aesthetics but also representatives of ancient oriental  architectural technology.

Timber frame is the core of the structure. There are mainly two types of framework for traditional Chinese timber structure. (Post and lintel structures, column and tie beam structures). The framework consists of wooden structures including columns, beams, curlings and rafters, and brackets sets generally known as structural frame. The tendon joints connecting the wooden components contribute to the flexibility of structure which means it is more earthquake resistant. For instance the 900 year old wooden pagoda (Wooden Pagoda of Buddha Palace)  in Ying (Yingxian) county, remains intact despite of going through many big earthquakes.

                                    

Over 400 years ago or even earlier the ancient Chinese craftsmen discovered the rule concerning architectural modules and worked out the basic modulus unit it was then possible it was then possible for the whole structure to be proportionally built in accordance in strict planning all the component could be manufactured before hand and installed according to the unified working procedures making full use of the materials and greatly improve the production efficiency this method became the essence of ancient architectural technology.

Traditional craftsmen worked on the materials by giving their inherent qualities full consideration to hold their jargon fat timbers for beams and slim for columns which indicates the craftsmen bearing consideration for the load quality of the timber. The wooden component such as the moonshaped beam, tunnel shaped columns an brackets are manufactured not only in the sense that they are beautiful in shape but also emphasize their load bearing quality.

Chinese have always attached great importance to the construction of residential houses. Many rituals have developed in their work and their life overtime there are corresponding rules and rituals during different construction stages when certain activities takes place such as the selection of land, planning, preparing for the construction materials, decision on the date of construction commencing of the construction, completion and house moving etc.

For example,  on important occasions when the foundation is laid. The doors are installed and the beams in position firecrackers would be lit in order to expel ghosts and demons, couplets would be hanged on the door frame for goodluck after the beam is positioned.

In 2007 the Institute for Architectural Studies of Chinese Academy of art carried out a great deal of field work and study in 3 dimensional database for traditional Chinese craftsmanship for safeguarding architectural craftsmanship and traditional architecture. Traditional Chinese craftsmanship can now be studied and recorded with the help of advanced digital multimedia. Today what the ancient craftsman has left with the Chinese is still widely used and surely will be continued to pass on from generation to generation.

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The last documentary tells of the ancient architecture of China, from the time of China's Emperor Qin Shi Huang up to the glory of the Tang dynasty. 

Journey to the East - Ancient Architecture of China (NTDTV)

The Great Wall of China is an ancient Chinese fortification, built in the warring states period by the different states. The first major wall was 5000 km long, built by Emperor Qin Shi Huang the 1^st emperor of Qing dynasty,After he ended the warring states period and unified China. This wall was not constructed by a single endeavour but it was created by joining several walls built earlier by the warring states.

While  building the great wall of Qin Shi Huang also spared no cost his palace complex which was near today at Xian in Xiangxi province, China. The Greatwall, the palace complex, the terracotta soldiers in Qin Shi Huang’s lavish tomb represents  masterpieces of ancient architecture and craftsmanship in China which required enormous manpower and resources.

Wooden structure tile top is a unique structure of Chinese style architecture. Would start with vertical wooden pillars that are connected by horizontal beams. Numerous short columns are hung from the main beam these short columns are used to support roof surfaces. Ancient Chinese could have built an entire house using structure using amortice structure combination without using a single nail. A space between any two columns is called a room. Rooms constitute a single rectangular architecture.

Luo Ban 772 and 481 state of Lu in the Spring and Autumn period, best known inventor and carpenter throughout Chinese history. He invented carpenter’s square, ink marker, lock, grill, ladder and many other tools. He once made a wooden bird that flew in the sky for 3 days legend says, as a result he was revered as originator of carpentry in craftsmanship in ancient China.

The earliest of pottery tiles first appeared Western Chou dynasty about 3000 yrs ago, tiles classified in two. Tube tiles and clay tiles and are often decorated with calligraphy with pattern of clouds and dragons. An unearthed city map of Eastern Han period shows that Han cities contain temples, city walls,gates, alleys, government cities, temples and markets.

Temples are excellent examples of ancient architectures, representative temples include stone caves, palaces and pagodas. Buddhism spread to China during the Eastern Han period since then a large number of stone caves were constructed and many Buddha statues were carved. The famous charter arch bridge in Hubei province China, not only the most ancient  bridge in China but also in the world. It has endured 10 floods, 8 battles, and numerous earthquake. Its foundation is extremely solid.

Tang dynasty is the highest point in Chinese civilization.Huge palaces and complex were built. The empire saw a flourish in creativity. Ancient Chinese craftsman were also able to explore material properties in constructing wooden structures .The Imperial court also issued standared for consistent measurements and drawings.  Imperial family adapted Buddhism and continues to flourish.