Analysis of Building Technology on WANGYUE Pavilion of Golden Phoenix Temple

Abstract

The Pavilion structure, as a perfect blend of beauty, practicability and flexibility, is widely adopted in Chinese classical gardens. Besides, pavilions about which a plenty of poems and tales have been made are so delicate, mysterious and gorgeous that they are usually very ideal places for recreation. Focusing on the renowned WANGYUE Pavilion of Golden Phoenix Temple, this paper aims at studying the construction technologies on double-eaves pavilions of timber structure used in Qing dynasty, by means of site survey and other investigating approaches. According to the investigation, the typical and traditional construction technology in south China on double-eaves pavilions was adopted, and the octagonal pavilion with double eaves and pyramidal roof was completed mainly using three beam-erection approaches such as the method of corner beam in the horizontal direction, the method of girder and the method of lever. This pavilion, as a representative structure with reasonable loading form, is constructed in good agreement with local culture and environment, which can provide certain valuable references for the design and construction of antique pavilions nowadays.