Abstract
We present a scientific discussion about Chinese historical architecture and cultural paradigms in order to analyze the formation of building patterns objectively connected to environmental features. In this regard, we will demonstrate the process of standardization from architectural modules related in different levels of composition around “voids”, onto cosmological urban tissues in harmony with nature. The conclusions show that we can only understand Chinese architectural patterns in relation to Dào or nature, and in turn, they possess profound social and environmental values from which we receive useful lessons to advance towards sustainability in architecture and urban planning. The authors believe that it is critical for China and the world to find a new approach to the building construction industry with an ecological and philosophical background recognizable as “Chinese” and based in its own past. In order to support the information provided in the first part of the article, the authors have conducted an environmental analysis of the traditional Chinese urban layout whose results greatly confirm the initial hypotheses, i.e. the historical fashion of constructing neighborhoods improves conditions of the town in terms of comfort and is able to save energy, thus reducing pernicious change effects.
Highlights
This paper discusses the formalization of Chinese architectural patterns following ancestral notions to establish a harmonious relationship between humans and nature
We have amply shown that Chinese historical architecture entwines with profound of the day the comfort limit is exceeded
We have amply shown that Chinese historical architecture entwines with profound cosmological concepts from which we can draw a parallel between the heavenly order and earthly patterns
Summary
This paper discusses the formalization of Chinese architectural patterns following ancestral notions to establish a harmonious relationship between humans and nature. The composition system and traditional spatial organization in China hark back from the development of geometries based on ideas of geomancy or fengshuı [6,7] In this regard, cosmological schemes and numerical relations that explain the nature of the cosmos have been applied to the configuration of architectural patterns [8]. Architectural patterns were configured thousands of years ago from high intellectual notions about the natural order that underlie the most basic substrate of culture and whose essence has been maintained over time in building codes [19] In this regard, an adroit correlation establishes between cosmological concepts, understood as dualities that combine in different levels of complexity, and an architectural composition system based on elements or modules aptly assembled at different levels [4]. We are convinced that these ancient ideas should be highly effective to avert climate change effects through building construction
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