Abstract
The curvilinear roofs of ancient Chinese wooden architecture feature unique functional, hierarchical, and aesthetic elements. However, the digitalization of these roofs has yet to be explored because of the lack of accurate mathematical models for these roof geometries. This research aims to parameterize the design and construction rules for these roofs as stipulated in the Yingzao fashi. We first illustrate the major features of curvilinear roofs, followed by a comprehensive investigation on the raising and bending rules via the original texts and drawing samples provided in the Yingzao fashi and the Annotated yingzao fashi by Sicheng Liang. Then, the mathematical models are developed. The main contribution of this research is the transformation of the design and building rules for complex curvilinear roofs into mathematical models, enabling designers to generate such roof architecture and adding new insights to existing mathematical methods in studying ancient architecture.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
Not applicable.
References
Chūta, Itō. 1931. 中国建筑史 (History of Chinese Architecture), trans. Chen Qingquan. Changsha: Hunan University Press. In Chinese.
Chiou, Shang-chia. 1996. Computational Considerations of Historical Architectural Analysis. Ph.D. dissertation, Carnegie Mellon University.
Chiou, Shang-chia and Ramesh Krishnamurti. 1995. The Grammatical Basis of Chinese Traditional Architecture. Language of Design 3: 5-31.
Le Corbusier. 1954. The Modulor: a Harmonious Measure to the Human Scale Universally Applicable to Architecture and Mechanics. London: Faber and Faber, Ltd.
Li, Jie. 1100. Yingzao Fashi. Kaifeng: Song Dynasty Government. In Chinese.
Li, Andrew i-Kang. 2001. A Shape Grammar for Teaching the Architectural Style of the Yingzao Fashi. Ph.D. dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Li, Di, Michael Knight, and Andre Brown. 2013. A Parametric Recreation of Traditional Chinese Architecture. In: Computation and Performance – Proceedings of the 31st eCAADe Conference – Volume 2, Faculty of Architecture, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands, 18-20 September 2013, pp. 697-703 http://cumincad.scix.net/cgi-bin/works/Show?ecaade2013_132.
Li, Di, Michael Knight and Andre Brown. 2014. Digital fabrication as a tool for investigating traditional Chinese architecture. A case study of the dou gong. In: Fusion – Proceedings of the 32nd eCAADe Conference, vol. 1, pp. 623–632. https://papers.cumincad.org/cgi-bin/works/Show?ecaade2014_123
Li, Di. 2016. Computational Re-interpretation of Heritage Architecture. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Liverpool.
Liang, Sicheng. 2001.梁思成全集第六卷 (Complete Works of Liang Sicheng Vol 6). Beijing: China Architecture & Building Press. In Chinese.
Liang, Sicheng. 1983. 营造法式注释 (Annotated Yingzao Fashi) Beijing: China Architecture & Building Press. In Chinese.
Liu, Jin and Zhong-Ke Wu. 2015. Rule-based Generation of Ancient Chinese Architecture from the Song Dynasty. Journal on Computing and Cultural Heritage 9(2): 1-22.
Liu, Zhiping. 2000. 中国建筑类型及结构 (Typology and Structure of Chinese Architecture). Beijing: China Architecture & Building Press. In Chinese.
Qing Ministry of Works. 1734. 工程做法则例 (Qing dynasty Architecture Method). Beijing: Qing Dynasty Government. In Chinese.
Padovan, Richard. 2015. Dom Hans Van Der Laan and the Plastic Number. In Architecture and Mathematics from Antiquity to the Future, eds. Kim Williams and Michael J. Ostwald, vol. II, 407–419. Birkhäuser, Cham.
Qu, Wanli. 2016. 诗经诠释(Shi Jing Quan Shi). Shanghai: Shanghai Lexicographical Publishing House. In Chinese.
Sung, Li-Wen. 2006. Decoding Chinese Classical Architecture for Contemporary Architectural Design-With Special Reference to Modern Architectural Development in Taiwan. Ph.D. dissertation, Virginia Tech.
Vitruvius. 1914. Vitruvius: The Ten Books on Architecture, trans. Morris Hicky Morgan. Cambridge: Harvard University Press: 39.
Wang, Gguixiang, Liu Chang and Duan Zhijun. 2011. 中国古代木结构建筑比例与尺度研究(The research on proportion of Chinese ancient timber frame architecture). Beijing: China Architecture & Building Press. In Chinese.
Wen, Renjun. 2008. 考工记译注(Zhouli Kao Gong Ji Annotation). Shanghai: Shanghai Classics Publishing House. In Chinese.
Wu, Qiong. 2005. Bracket teaching program: A shape grammar interpreter. Automation in construction, 14(6): 716-723.
Xiao, Min. 2006. 唐宋古建筑尺度规律研究 (Research on the Measure Regulation of Ancient Architecture in Tang & Song). Nanjing: Southeast University Press. In Chinese.
Funding
Not applicable.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Mathematical model development: YS, JW; Traditional Chinese roof features: EZ, YF, SL; Model analysis: YS, JW; Parametric relationship and research workflow: JW.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper).
Code availability
Not applicable.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
About this article
Cite this article
Shen, Y., Zhang, E., Feng, Y. et al. Parameterizing the Curvilinear Roofs of Traditional Chinese Architecture. Nexus Netw J 23, 475–492 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00004-020-00512-1
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00004-020-00512-1