Moduler la lumière. Galeries et fenêtres, de l'Inde au Cambodge et au Siam

Abstract

Whereas in Indian temples, windows tend to be quite exceptional (enclosure galleries being made up of porticos facing the inner yard), in Cambodia they form a striking feature of Angkorian architecture. Enclosure galleries are more diversified and generally present many windows on one side and blind windows on the other. One of the walls can be replaced by a portico sustained by pillars facing the inner part of the temple, or even sometimes facing outside, in order to form a surrounding peristyle. Both windows and blind windows are fitted with turned stone bars which give them a particularly strong architectural presence. While integrating this feature into the design of Sukhothai monuments, Thai architects simplified it, transforming the original window-bars into rectangular brick or latérite mullions separated by narrow vertical slits cut into the wall. At the end of the Ayutthaya period these mullions were replaced by more elaborate window-bars with indents which remind one of the Khmer alternating rings and collars.