Why Do Chinese Roofs Curved Upwards

Modern physics and computer modeling has shown that the traditional asian style high ridged roofs with multi pitched or curved roof lines and double overhanging eaves performs better during high wind events such as.

Why do chinese roofs curved upwards.

Not only do they protect residences from the elements but they also have a deeper meaning. Roofs are very important to chinese architecture. It s called flying eaves 飞檐 a very light and wonderful name. Chinese architecture demonstrates an architectural style that developed over millennia in china before spreading out to influence architecture throughout east asia since the solidification of the style in the early imperial period the structural principles of chinese architecture have remained largely unchanged the main changes being only the decorative details.

This is strikingly different from most western roofing systems they put a lot of stress on the outer walls. 3 interactive class activities to energize your online classroom. In order to prevent rainwater from eroding buildi. This kind of architecture is very scientific and practical in some part of china there is a heavy rainfall throught the year the curved roofs make.

Subject to building materials ancient chinese architecture is dominated by wood. This happens because in summertime the sun is more directly overhead while in the winter it only gets about 35 degrees above the horizon at noon. For example temple roofs are curved because buddhists believed that this helped ward off evil spirits which were believed to assume the form of straight lines. The roofs in both of the above photos show what liang ssu ch eng in chinese architecture called the immediately outstanding feature of chinese architecture.

Asian roofs are gently curved out at the corners in order to allow more light to enter the windows in winter and provide extra shade in the summer. The upturned eaves on roof corners are the most identifiable mark of chinese roof architecture. A curved roof with overhanging eaves which a wooden skeleton supports. This is a traditional chinese architectural style.

If evil spirits were to descend from the sky for instance they would hit the roofs and be sent shooting back up and away however gods were also inspired to descend onto earth by the color black. The upturned roof design appeared during the han dynasty 206 bc 220 ad and were the standard type used until the song dynasty 960 1279. The classic chinese roof is a light roof built on a flexible frame of timbers and is very different than western roof types.