Friday, October 12, 2012

Architecture Traditional Chinese



Chinese Architecture Features: The most significant characteristic of ancient Chinese architecture is the use of timber framework. Paintings and carvings were added to the architectural work to make it more beautiful and attractive. Ancient Chinese buildings have a long history which can be traced back to the Shang Dynasty (16th century BC - 771 BC). It has its own principles of structure and layout. Through the long development, many wonders have been created by industrious and clever Chinese laboring people.

Ancient Chinese architecture is mainly timberwork. Wooden posts, beams, lintels and joists make up the framework of a house. Walls serve as the separation of rooms without bearing the weight of the whole house, which is unique to China. As a famous saying goes, 'Chinese houses will still stand when their walls collapse.' The specialty of wood requires antisepsis methods to be adopted, thus develops into Chinese own architectural painting decoration. Colored glaze roofs, windows with exquisite applique design and beautiful flower patterns on wooden pillars reflect the high-level of the craftsmen's handicraft and their rich imagination.

The layout of a courtyard complex is also unique to China. The main structure is located on the central axis of a court while less-important structures are located to the left and right. The whole layout is symmetrical. Compared with European architectural style which is open and shut, a Chinese courtyard is like a hand scroll of painting which should be unfolded little by little. The scenery is different in each courtyard. Even in moving several steps within the court yard, you will be surprised at the changing of prospects. Likewise from the interior of the buildings the view from no two windows is the same.

The following article gives a cursory explanation of traditional Chinese architecture, before the introduction of Western building methods during the early 20th century. Throughout the 20th Century, however, Western-trained Chinese architects have attempted to combine traditional Chinese designs into modern architecture (usually government), with only limited success. Moreover, the pressure for urban development throughout contemporary China required higher speed of construction and higher floor area ratio, which means that in the great cities the demand for traditional Chinese buildings, which are normally less than 3 levels, has declined in favor of modern architecture. However, the traditional skills of Chinese architecture, including major and minor carpentry,masonry, and stonemasonry, are still applied to the construction of vernacular architecture in the vast rural area in China.



foto by google images

Origamic Architecture


In the Japanese paperfolding art of origami, cutting the paper is frowned upon. But in 1981,
Origamic Architecture sculptures range from (the relatively simple) geometric patterns to famous buildings’ facades. It’s like 3-D pop-up greeting cards, but much, much more complex. While looking at the examples below, keep this in mind: everything’s done with the simple cuts of the knife

















foto by google images.

Green Building Material


The majority of homes today are built using wood frames, the traditional Building Material and the material of choice for many. However building a wood framed house requires a very carefully designed plan and a construction crew with much experience and skill. Building a home with a wood frame will generally result in a reliable and secure structure, however it is also susceptible to premature failure when small details are left unchecked or is made with a poor quality wood product. Wood frames also have the ability to rot and attract infestation and construction costs associated with building such frames are also a detriment.

Today the home owner has the opportunity to choose from alternative Green Building Materials and make a difference.


Insulated Concrete Forms: These preformed blocks are made with expanded polystyrene (EPS) and metal rebar which can be stacked to build your frame. They are then filled with concrete to create an insulated and exceptionally strong wall!


The Benefits of Building a Home with Insulated Concrete Forms


Ease of Use - These building blocks are very easy to use. They require much less crew and take significantly less time to build than a traditional home


Energy Efficiency – The insulation properties of polystyrene and the high thermal mass of the concrete help to reduce the internal temperature fluctuations to create a more efficient and comfortable indoor environment.


Noise Reduction - Insulated Concrete form walls make an enormous difference in the reduction of noise transmission.


Fire-resistance - This product is highly rated for fire-resistance and has been proven in some products to have a four hour resistance rating!


Strength - These walls are exceptionally strong and can be built to hurricane/seismic standards.


Mildew/Rot – These walls will not support the growth of mildew and mold.




foto by google.