Ancient Chinese Architecture (2)

Building techniques grew quit mature in the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.- 220 A.D.). The timber frame structure and bracket system or dougong, the two prominent distinguishing features of classical Chinese architecture, had already taken initial shape and were widely used. Many varieties of bricks, tiles and tile ends were produced. All these made the construction of multi-storied buildings and the appearance of many different roof styles possible.

According to early records, China began to use the mortise-and-tenon joint in carpentry as early as 7,000 years ago, during the New Stone Age. In primitive society the Chinese used very simple tools to chisel out mortises and tenons to secure the joints of the beams. For centuries, people made columns and beams out of trees to build the house, thus the post and lintel frame were eventually created and become more widespread during the later period of primitive society, about 7,000 or 8,000 years ago. The use of timber framework as well as mortises and tenons formed the prototype of ancient Chinese architecture.

Timber frame structure enjoyed great popularity due to its structural advantages. The framework is largely composed of columns, beams and longitudinal purlins, on which the roof rests. This structure facilitates the changes of bracket system and roof styles. Besides, because the frame has the substantial weight-bearing function and the walls don’t, the space between the posts may be left open or filled with bricks or light materials to form partition walls, thus making the design and arrangement of rooms more flexible. For instance, during long hot summers, partitions between the supporting columns could be removed and taken away to let more cool air in.

Other advantages of the timber frame structure also made the Chinese give preference to wood over stone for thousands of years: wood was easier to transport and work with than stone, because large, single pieces could be used and it was strong enough to support heavy tile roof construction; wood structure was also resistant to earthquakes. A good example is the wooden pagoda in Yingxian County, Shanxi Province. Constructed in 1056, it is 67.13 meters high and is the oldest and tallest wooden pagoda extant in the world. More than 200 years after its completion, an intense earthquake lasting seven days occurred, but the pagoda remained intact. Wood was attractive to the Chinese from an aesthetic point of view as well, for it could be carved and painted elaborately to make the building beautiful and elegant.

Of course, wooden structures naturally had the disadvantages of being less permanent than stone structures. Wood catches fire more easily. It is not damp-proof, thus decaying more easily. These reasons help explain why few wooden structures from the first millennium have survived. Nevertheless, timber frame structure never lost its dominant position in ancient times.