Traditional Chinese architectural craftsmanship for timber-framed structures

The Imperial Palace

The Hall of Supreme Harmony

Traditional Chinese architectural craftsmanship for timber-framed structures has its own unique system and
characteristics through thousands of years of development with so much rich experience accumulated over time

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 have been handed down from masters
to their apprentices through examples and verbal instructions by employing the architectural craftsmanship.

Various kinds of architecture such as palaces, temples, gardens, residential houses and assembly halls cater to the
needs of people. all walk of life reflect chinese people’s view of the universe, the traditional chinese hierarchy
society, as well as interpersonal relationships and demonstrate the wisdom of ancient technology. Not only they
are the projection of Chinese people’s unique aesthetics but also representatives of ancient oriental architectural
technology

Different architectural schools with local characteristics emerge during the development of architectural
craftsmanship for traditional timber frame structures such as the Beijing School, The Shaanxi school, ...

Timber-frame is the core of structure

There are mainly two types of framework for traditional chinese timber structures:

1. Post and lintel

the columns are erected on stone bases along the length and depth of a building. Beams, or lintels,
are placed on top of the columns. The same procedure is repeated on short columns and beams
until a timber frame is formed. A lintel is then placed horizontally between two columns. Several
purlins are placed on the “beam heads”—the outer ends of the beams—as well as on the short
columns on each floor, which form a straight angle with the frame. Purlins provide the function of
connecting the structural frames and bearing the weight of the roof

folk houses in the northern part of the country

the column-and-tie structure is distinguished by setting up a row of columns along the depth of a
building with equal distance between every two columns and purlins. Purlins rest directly on the
columns. The weight of the roof is directly transmitted from purlins to columns, no beams are used.
The columns of each row are connected through several lintels, and a structural frame is completed.
2 Shock and Vibration Yingxian Wood Pagoda [27] The front tower over the North Gate of
Xi'an City Wall [28] Jixian Dule Temple [29] Happiness Palace in the Forbidden City
Their framework consists of wooden components including columns, beams, purlins, rafters and bracket sets,
generally known as structural frame

The tendon joints connecting the wooden components contribute to the flexibility of the structure which make
it more earthquake resistant. For instance, the 950-year old wooden pagoda in Yianxian remains intact despite of
going through many earthquakes
Planning and construction based on the modulus, components manufacturing beforehand., the costruction of
traditional timber framed structures requires a large number of craftsmen coordination during the
manufacturing process, therefore, it is necesassry to have some unified standards regarding the size of the
modulus and manufacturing methods

Over 1,400 years ago or evern earlier, ancient Chinese craftsmen discovered the rule concerning architectural
modulus and worked out the basic modulus unit. It was then possible for the whole structure to be proportionally
built in accordance with strict planning. All components can be manufactured beforehand and installed according
to the unified working procedure, making full use of the quantities of the wooden materials and greatly
improvng the production efficiency. This method became the essence of ancient architectural technology

TIMBER-CUTTING

There is a sound working procedure for the construction of thr traditional chinese timber framed-constructions.
Take carpentry for example-a complete procedure which includes: tree felling, timber cutting, detailed treatment
and so on has to be strictly followed at all times although tools and technques improved over time

Traditional craftsmen work on the materials by giving their inherent qualities full consideration. To quote their
jargon, fat timber for beams, slim timber for columns which indicate craftsmen’s consideration of the load-bearing
quality of the timber

The wooden components such as the moon-shaped beam, shuttle-shaped column and the bracket set are
manufactured in such ways that they are not just beautiful in shape, but, also emphasize their load-bearing
qualities

Beam-lifting ritual

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

For example, on the important occasions when the foundation is laid, the doors are installed or the beams are
positioned. Firecrackers will be lit to expel ghosts and devils, couplets will be hung on the door frame for good luck
after the beam is positioned

Traditional chinese architectural craftsmanship for timber framed structures is mainly handed down from the
masters to their apprentices through their examples and oral instructions. There is usually an acknowledgement
ceremony when someone becomes an apprentice to their master

The central government launched a general investigation on concerning the intangible heritage in 2005.
Nomination and review concerning a list of representatives are carried out. Amongst the published list are 11
entries about architectural craftsmanship for timber frame structures. In 2007, the institute of architecture studies
of Chinese academy of art carried out a great deal of fieldwork and study and established a three dimensional
database for traditional chinese architectural craftsmanship for safeguarding architectural craftsmanship for
traditional architecture. Traditional Chinese architectural craftsmanship can now be studied and recorded with the
help of advanced digitalized multimedia.

In order to promote knowledge about traditional architectural craftsmanship, a variety of publicity activities have
also been held such as the effort to introduce architecture models to the community or the class

Today, what the ancient craftsmen have left with the Chinese is still widely used and will surely continue to be
passed on frm generation to generation
Architecture is an important symbol of human civilization. In this field, the Chinese people have extraordinary
wisdom and creativity.

THE IMPERIAL PALACE

The imperial palace was the residence of the emperor and his family.

In order to show the supremacy of the imperial family and their authority to rule the magnificence in
their design and construction.

FORBIDDEN CITY

Legends say that there are 10,000 roos in the palace of the emperor in heaven

The emperor in the real world built a palace with 9,999-and-a-half rooms to show his respect to the
Heavenly Emperor

6,000 years ago, 10,000 laborers were engaged in building the palace with 100 million bricks and 200
million tiles

The palace featured vermilion walls and gold-glazes tiles

The palace is open to the public and attracts crowds of tourists to experience royal life

Forbidden City

Biggest palace in the world

1 ruler

The name of the palace spark fear

One of the most secret places of Earth

Small part of it was opened to the public

Home of a god

Chinese emperor- son of palace/ deity

Siege of government and sacred place

15th century-chaotic; Prince named Zhu Di from the north rebelled to prince of the South

Conquered Nanjing

Created new capital- BEIJING

Zhu Di ruthlesss but wise

High walls-forbidden city

Home of 24 emperors

Heart of the civilization

Largest wooden palace complex in the world

Marble dragon drain water from terraces

Meridian gate-prominent

Inner court

outer court

Hall of Supreme Harmony -largest

Square shape hall

Victim of catastrophic fires

Special tree to rebuild the palace

Monsoon rains used to transport the logs

Journey of single log takes 4 years

Pillars are given special treatment

Grandest throne made of rosewood surrounded by insence

Images of dragons can be found around the forbidden city

28 days to transport the great marble slab to Beijing

In 1679, kitchen units cause the fire in Supreme Harmony

Harder to rebuilt

80 years, palace archives

Commoner rebuild the interlocking brackets

Hall of Supreme Harmony burned two times

Rebuilt on the same spot

Eunuchs

15th century eunuchs were victims of prisons

Literacy and good handwriting

Mandarins and concubines

NANCHAN TEMPLE (TANG DYNASTY)

FOGUANG TEMPLE- a supreme work of art of Chinese Ancient wooden architecture

Wooden architecture

Architectural culture

Harmony with nature

Structural aesthetics

Unprecented craftsmanship

Chinese Traditional Wooden architecture

Shanxi

-is a buddhist temple located in the half mountain side of Foguang mountain

25 km NE of Wu Tai in Shanxi Province of China

The temple is oriented in East-west position due to their being mountains located on the east, north and
south

Having mountsins behind the building is believed to improve its Feng Shui

The temple consists of two main halls:

The mjor hall of the temple is the GREAT EAST HALL. It was built in the year of 857 during the Tang
dynasty. The Hall stands on the top of a large stone platform. It is a single-storey structure measuring 7
bays in width, 7 bays in depth and suported by inner and outer sets of columns

According to Architectural records, it is the seconf earliest preserved timber structure in China.

Dou gong is a unique structural elements of interlocking wooden brackets. One of the most important
elements in the Chinese traditional architecture

The pieces were fit by tendon joints along without glue or fasteners due to the precision and quality of the
carpentry

On top of each column is a complicated set of practice containing 7 different bracket types there are 1/3 as
high as the column itself. Supporting the roof of the hall, each of the bracket are connected by cresecent-
sphaped cross beams which create an inner ring above the inner set of columns and an outer ring above
the outer columns.

The various parts are so well-proportioned as to give the whole structure and appearance of grandeur and
solidity .

The brackets, the beam, and the ceiling serve also a decorated purpose

The five rooms in the middle under the five eave after hall are installed with big wooden doors. This is te
oldest wooden doors still used in China

The two rooms in each side and two in the back are installed with strict lattice windows. Inside the hall are
36 sculptures as well as murals on each wall that date from the Tang dynasty and later periods. All of
these statues are well-proportioned and simply molded. Although they were repainted by other dynasties,
the sculpture style of Tang dynasty can still be seen on them

Today, the temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is undergoing restoration