By outdoor-nature-child.com Architecture is a living entity, a solidified poem, a three-dimensional painting, and a grounded melody. President Xi Jinping has pointed out that “Chinese architecture has historically had a significant impact on the world, standing alongside European and Islamic architecture as one of the three major architectural systems globally. Compared to the other two, Chinese architecture boasts a longer history, a more complete system, and a greater emphasis on nature and daily life.” Recently, at the 46th World Heritage Conference held in New Delhi, UNESCO passed a resolution to include the “Beijing Central Axis – a masterpiece of China’s ideal city order” in the World Heritage List, highlighting the cultural significance of traditional Chinese architecture.
Traditional Chinese architecture embodies the labor and creativity of our ancient ancestors and represents an essential form of material civilization that can be perceived, touched, and appreciated. It is also a crucial achievement in embodying, preserving, and passing down spiritual civilization, harmonizing material and spiritual values, making it a priceless asset. Guided by the cultural thoughts of Xi Jinping, one key aspect of better protecting our historical and cultural heritage is to deepen the study of Chinese architectural history. This research should not only focus on the exquisite construction techniques, unique spatial forms, and grand aesthetics of traditional Chinese architecture but also strive to uncover the spiritual pursuits embedded within.
Nature is our teacher. Chinese traditional architecture places great importance on harmonizing with the natural environment, emphasizing the principles of adapting to local conditions and fully considering topographical factors, as well as using materials according to their characteristics. Sometimes, buildings are created based on the imagery of the universe, aiming for harmonious coexistence with nature. For instance, in classical gardens, the phrase “though made by man, it appears as if it were formed by nature” is the highest commendation. Specifically, traditional Chinese architecture reflects the essence of drawing inspiration from nature in aspects such as site selection, material use, and color design. When selecting a site, great care is given to the ecological layout based on the shapes of mountains and water. Before construction, ecological factors like terrain, topography, and water systems are considered to ensure that the building coordinates well with its natural surroundings, promoting production, daily life, transportation, and landscaping. In terms of material selection, there is a focus on ecological wisdom through utilizing local materials and techniques, achieving harmony between design and environment with minimal interference. Regarding color, traditional Chinese architecture emphasizes a harmonious ecological design with the five elemental colors. The ancient belief that gold, wood, water, fire, and earth interact to create the natural world is reflected in the typical color characteristics of traditional buildings—white railings, green beams, red walls, and yellow-green tiles—each representing a close relationship with nature. Today, we see the harmonious blend of white stone bases, red walls, yellow tiles against blue skies and green trees in palace architecture, and the picturesque combination of pink-white walls, green bricks, and dark tiles in Jiangnan residences, showcasing the unique color charm of traditional Chinese architecture.
Emphasizing human relationships is vital. Architecture arises to satisfy human needs, and traditional Chinese architecture underscores both the importance of natural harmony and human moral relationships. In a traditional society based on kinship and family ties, the harmony of daily lives and interpersonal relationships becomes essential in architectural design. Traditional Chinese architecture skillfully incorporates concepts of family unity, harmony among clans, neighborliness, and social stability into its design, expressed through physical spatial forms such as enclosures and combinations, achieving a fusion of material space and ethical spirit. Specifically, in fostering family harmony, traditional designs arrange homes—central halls, main houses, wing rooms—to emphasize marital harmony, filial piety, and fraternal love. For clan harmony, many traditional residences are laid out around shared ancestral halls, forming a distinctive community structure in numerous villages. In promoting neighborly goodwill, traditional architecture utilizes simple streets and quiet alleys to create tangible connections between households, while courtyards, alleys, and pavilions foster community interactions. The intricate layout of streets and alleys, the varied arrangement of houses, and the harmonious coexistence of adjacent buildings contribute to spaces that enhance neighborly relations. Social harmony is expressed through diverse artistic forms—murals, carvings, patterns, painting, calligraphy, plaques, and couplets—that embed ethical imagery and narratives within architectural decor, creating an environment conducive to expressing ideas, conveying values, and fostering emotions while promoting a culture that values harmony.
A pursuit of aesthetic beauty is critical. Exceptional architecture is not only functional but also visually appealing, representing both technical prowess and artistic expression. Traditional Chinese architecture seeks to embody dignified artistic images, symmetrical spatial order, and vibrant physical forms. Spatial layouts emphasize courtyard combinations and axial symmetry; while gardens and scenic buildings are often freely arranged, most other types adhere to symmetrical layouts, such as courtyards designed around a central space, presenting unique spatial configurations and art forms. Structural designs incorporate features like sweeping eaves and intricate brackets, with vertical columns, horizontal beams, and inclined rafters interwoven through brackets, forming a robust structural framework that showcases the flexibility of wooden construction. In decorative arts, traditional architecture prizes intricate craftsmanship in wood, stone, and brick carving, along with artistic embellishments, displaying remarkable techniques and profound cultural depth. For example, in the pink-wall, dark-tile residences of Jiangnan, beautifully carved beams, walls, and brackets intricately depict various flora and fauna, reflecting a deep-seated quest for perfection. It is essential to note that the extraordinary craftsmanship of traditional Chinese architecture results from the fusion of artistry and skill. Both scholars and artisans contribute to traditional constructions, with scholars providing ideas on structure and style, while artisans bring those ideas into practical reality, leading to a unique expression in traditional architecture.
Diversity and integration characterize Chinese traditional architecture, which displays both unity and variety, manifesting a harmonious coexistence. China, as a vast unified multi-ethnic nation, features diverse architectural styles due to varying natural environments and regional customs. For instance, the subtle beauty of the Jiangnan water towns, the grandeur of Huizhou residences, the rustic charm of Shanxi courtyards, and the distinctive designs of Fujian tulou all reflect regional uniqueness. Additionally, ethnic designs, such as the Bai people’s four-sided five-courtyard homes in Dali and the stilt houses of the Zhuang people in Guangxi, showcase ethnic diversity. Despite these myriad architectural styles, there is a tendency towards integration and mutual influence among them. Over time, exchanges among regions and the blending of ethnic cultures have led to a gradual convergence of originally independent architectural systems, creating a multidimensional, integrated fabric of structural forms and designs. It can be said that traditional Chinese architecture encompasses the rich architectural cultures of various ethnic groups, showcasing the trend of cultural integration within Chinese culture—a vast scroll depicting the mutual appreciation and exchange among different ethnicities. Throughout history, traditional Chinese architecture has persisted for thousands of years, revealing a unified essence in spiritual connotations, while incorporating varying styles and forms across different historical periods, reflecting a rich material diversity.