What are the characteristics of ancient Chinese architecture?

Ancient architecture is the abbreviation of ancient Chinese architecture, which is an independent institutional system, and its biggest feature is four: it is dominated by wood structure system. The advantages of timber systems are numerous:

If the maintenance structure is separated from the support structure, the seismic performance is high; Convenient access to materials, fast construction speed and so on. At the same time, timber structures also have many disadvantages: they are susceptible to fire, termite erosion, rainwater corrosion, and do not last longer than masonry buildings; Timber is in short supply due to the increase in the amount of construction; It is difficult to realize complex building spaces in beam frame systems.

However, there are also a small number of masonry and metal buildings in ancient Chinese architecture, such as the "Historical Records of Suoyin": "The stone chamber and the gold are all places where the state collects books." ”；For example, there are many records in the "Notes on the Book of Water", "Weishui Chapter":

There is a stone room next to the river, and the residence of the prince is also there." Masonry structures are mostly used in tower construction. Metal buildings are dominated by copper, and famous examples of copper architecture include the Baoyun Pavilion of the Summer Palace in Beijing, the Golden Palace of Wudang Mountain in Hubei Province and the Golden Palace of Taihe Palace in Kunming.

China's timber structure system has always adopted the structural principle of the frame system: four columns, beams and vertical fangs are added to form a "room", and the general building is composed of an odd number of rooms, such as.

Three, five, seven, nine. The more bays, the higher the grade, the Forbidden City Taihe Hall is eleven bays, is the highest level of existing wooden ancient buildings. The façade is divided into three sections:

Pedestals, roofs, roofs. Among them, the roof of the official building is huge and profound, which is the most important part of the architectural modeling. The form of the roof is divided into the following according to the grade:

Single-slope, flat-topped, hard mountain, hanging mountain, palace, rest mountain, roll shed, accumulation point, heavy eaves, helmet top and other systems, and take the heavy eaves palace as the highest level. The bucket is a key component in Chinese timber erection structures, and its role is to support the weight of the eaves by extending cantilever beams from the columns.

The layout of ancient Chinese buildings is always based on a main longitudinal axis, with the main buildings arranged on the main axis, and the secondary buildings arranged on both sides in front of the main buildings, facing each other from east to west, and forming into a square or rectangular courtyard. This courtyard layout not only meets the needs of safety and sun-proof life, but also conforms to the patriarchal and religious system of ancient Chinese society. When a group of courtyards cannot meet the needs, multi-entry courtyards can be extended before and after the main building, and cross-courtyards (auxiliary axes) can be arranged on both sides of the main axis.

Qufu Confucius Temple arranged ten courtyards on the main axis, and arranged multiple courtyards on both sides of the main axis. It is an axis in front of Kuiwen Pavilion, and three parallel axes after Kuiwen Pavilion. As for the layout of ceremonial buildings such as altars and temples and mausoleums, it is even more rigorous.

This kind of strict layout is not rigid and rigid, but arranges the multi-entry and multi-courtyard space into a series of spaces with a lot of personality.

Ancient buildings, carved beams and painted buildings, wall walls are often painted. During the Warring States period, painting was quite prosperous; In the palace room of the Han Dynasty, there are also many character stories, and good and evil are memorized, so as to show the precepts; Later generations painted many landscapes. In terms of architectural thought, ancient Chinese architecture embodies a clear idea of etiquette and pays attention to the embodiment of hierarchy

There are strict regulations on shape, color, scale, structure, components, etc., which improve the architectural form to a certain extent, but also limit the development of the building. At the same time, the idea of the unity of nature and man is also reflected in the development process of ancient Chinese architecture, which promotes the coordination and integration of architecture and nature. Pay attention to architecture and urban site selection; When it was built, it was built according to local conditions, and it was located in the mountains, and the garden was particularly obvious, emphasizing feng shui.

Ancient Chinese architecture is rich and colorful, with a long history and unique characteristics. Specifically, ancient Chinese architecture has the following characteristics:

Strong symmetry: Ancient Chinese architecture often adopted a symmetrical layout to show dignity and peace. For example, palaces often have a symmetrical layout on the central axis, which makes the building look more solemn and stable.

Emphasizing imposing: Ancient Chinese architecture often emphasized grandeur as a sign of dignity and authority. For example, imperial palaces often use huge architectural volumes to show their importance and prestige.

Attention to detail: Ancient Chinese architecture often paid attention to detail in order to show sophistication and beauty. For example, palaces are often decorated with elaborate paintings and carvings that make the buildings look more elaborate and ornate.

Emphasis on function: Ancient Chinese architecture often emphasized function, focusing on practicality and comfort. For example, palaces often had various facilities to make it easy for the emperor and court officials to live and work.

Emphasizing cultural inheritance: Ancient Chinese architecture often emphasizes cultural inheritance, reflecting the characteristics of traditional Chinese culture. For example, palaces often use traditional Chinese architectural elements such as ridges, gables, cornices, etc., to make the building look more traditional and quaint.

Emphasis on the natural and human environment: Ancient Chinese architecture often emphasized a harmonious relationship with the natural and human environment. For example, palaces often complement the surrounding gardens, courtyards, and ponds, making the building look more natural and harmonious.

These characteristics embody the essence of traditional Chinese culture and make ancient Chinese architecture a world cultural heritage.