Architecture at Everest- Semester 2: Week 3 Post 2

Intersession
Architecture and Design
Audie Santos
6/4/13

June 4th, 2013

Documentary: Ancient Architecture-China

The front of the Forbidden City

Another ancient civilization or country that was found to have some of the best architecture in the world is China. In the past China has been known for its great palaces, walls, and unique roofs. Today we will be exploring some of the techniques and styles used so that the Chinese could create their structures. The Chinese used a lot of horizontal placement and symmetry in their structures. For example, the Forbidden City, a palace which was residence for the imperial families of China. As shown in the picture there is a lot of horizontal symmetry shown here. From the roof, to the floor, to the railings. The Chinese paid close attention to the placement of everything.

A diagram of how Feng Shui works

http://www.altiusdirectory.com/Travel/forbidden-city.html

With that said, Feng Shui is another thing that influenced Chinese architecture in the aspects of placement, color, and numbers. Feng Shui, is an art and a science in orientation. If something was not oriented or placed correctly, the Chinese who believed this thought that the incorrect placement would be bad for the family, spiritually, and physically. For example, let's say you want to build a house near a river. According the Feng Shui, you should place so that the door faces the river. If you don't, then it will cause illness and just be plain inconvenient.

http://www.mountainvalleycenter.com/feng-shui-guide.php

An example of a house following the code of Feng Shui

http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/ex/template_content_corner/ex35/lg.html