Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
1sima.armani@gmail.com, 2ezrin_fab@um.edu.my
Chinese architecture is one of the most prevailing architectural styles in Peninsular Malaysia, which
is inspired from architectural specimens in Mainland China. It can be stated that the Chinese
structures in the Peninsula are variations of Chinese architecture in Mainland China since the Chinese
builders in this area have faced the long journey of migration, assimilation and integration with new
culture and environment. This paper intends to focus on this architecture, its various typology and
characteristics, and comprehend it in deeper levels by providing comparison between this
architectural style in Peninsular Malaysia and Mainland China. To achieve this goal, this article
applied Historical-Comparative Research method, during which a variety of evidence concerning
classical Chinese architecture in Mainland China as well as Peninsular Malaysia was compared and
interpreted. Findings in this article show that Chinese architecture in Peninsular Malaysia mainly
follows Southern Chinas architectural style, whilst Northern Chinas architectural influence is
perceivable in the later stage of its development.
Keywords: classical Northern Chinas architecture, Southern Chinas architecture, Chinese
architecture in Peninsular Malaysia
1.
INTRODUCTION
2.
HISTORICAL INTERACTIONS
BETWEEN
CHINA
AND
SOUTHEAST ASIA
\
Figure 1: Chronological time-line/ interaction between China and Southeast Asia
(Source: Derived from Andaya & Andaya, 2001; Harrison, 1967; Munoz, 2006; Pan, 2006; Ryan, 1971; Vlatseas, 1990)
(c)
(d)
(a)
(b)
Figure 5: Southern Chinas architecture- The architecture of commoners (The three-sectioned gable roof,
whitewash walls with no ornamentations, and grey tiles as roofs material are of distinctive characteristics)
(Source: Knapp, 2004: 177)
Close-eaves Pagoda: This type (see Figure 4) is
characterized by a high principal story, normally
without a base and with many courses of eaves or
cornices, which are usually odd in number, seldom
fewer than five and rarely exceeding thirteen
(Liang & Fairbank, 1984). The first storey of the
pagoda usually provides surface for decoration with
Buddhist statues, lotus flowers, and geometric
patterns; doors, windows and pillars all providing
additional forms of decoration, whilst above the
second storey, there are generally no doors or
windows (Wei, 2000). The pagodas multiple
levels, accessible by interior stairs, followed the
early custom of surmounting the square base with a
series of narrow storeys and in some cases are
divided by shallow eaves that accentuated the
gently curving tower (Fisher, 1993).
3.
METHODOLOGY
Chinese
Architecture in
Peninsular Malaysia
Architecture in Mainland
China
Palaces
Northern Imperial
Architecture
Temples
Temples
Pagodas
Interpretation
Courtyard
Houses
Pagodas
Courtyard
Houses
Analysis
and
Comparison
Buddhist
Architecture
Southern
Architecture
(Architecture of
Commoners)
Form
Ornamentation
Narration
Figure 6: Diagram of research structure
4.
FINDINGS ANALYSIS,
EVALUATION AND
INTERPRETATION
4.1 TEMPLES
Form: The earliest Chinese houses of worship in
Peninsular Malaysia were modest shrines built
from timber and thatch, but as the Chinese
influence and wealth fortified, their temples
appeared as highly decorated halls constructed
often from imported materials from China (Chen,
1998). The study on temples in the Peninsula
shows that these temples, similar to the temples in
Mainland China, are designed around some basic
concepts. They are walled group of structures,
orient on north-south axis, face toward south on a
symmetrical and orthogonal plan, emphasis on the
vertical axis, and apply sequencing to establish
dominance (Chen, 1998; Kohl, 1984; Vlatseas,
1990; Yeang, 1992).
There are some small temples in the Peninsula
that hold only one hall, while the more elaborate
temples comprise various halls and courtyards. The
later usually contain a central main building, where
the altar is located inside and is accessible through
a semi-enclosed prayer pavilion and two side
buildings that sometimes hold the lesser deities. All
these buildings face an open-air courtyard, which is
separated from the street with highly decorated
doorways and provides light and ventilation for
inner spaces (Chen, 1998; Kohl, 1984).
The comparison between temples in China
and the Peninsula indicates that following the
classical Chinas architecture, temples in
Peninsular Malaysia consist of three major
components of raised base, highly decorated body,
and heavy roof. However, these temples represent
the mentioned features inspired by Southern
Chinas style, as well as the architecture of
commoners in China instead of its imperial
architecture. In contrast to multi-level profusely
decorated podium in Northern Chinas architecture
(see Figure 7) they demonstrate extremely simple
low-rise base or sometimes no base at all. They
also represent highly modest halls in size and hold
gable roof or often gable roof in three (3) sections
similar to the architecture of commoners instead of
imperial hipped or gable-hipped roof. The main
ridge in temples in the Peninsula can be found in
both curve and strait designs. Through comparison
between Figure 8 and 9, the strong influence of
architecture of commoners on temples in
Peninsular Malaysia is clearly discernible.
Figure 7: An example of Imperial Chinese temples in Northern China, Qinian Temple, Beijing
(Source: Zhang et al., 1986: 147)
(a)
(b)
(c)
Figure 11: Cheng Hoo Teng Temple, Melaka, 17 th various Southern Chinese influences:
a) Overall view-three sections gable roof b) Ornate gable wall c) Ornate raised main ridge and copings
Figure 16: Elevated gable walls in houses in Taiwan, which have been inspired by Fujian and Gunangdong
styles
(Source: Drawn by author from Chen, 2008: 177)
Ornate Roof
Edge
Figure 17: Various features on roof design in Chinese imperial buildings
(Source: Ru & Peng, 1998: 156)
Figure 20: Inspiration from Northern Style; Application of colour-painting and ornate roof in a recent Chinese
Temple in Pahang
(a)
(b)
Figure 21: a) Tower-style Pagoda: The Renshou Pagoda, Fujian, Liang Dynasty.
(Source: Wei, 2000: 152)
b) Chin Swee Pagoda, Pahang)
4.2 PAGODAS
Form and Ornamentations: Pagodas in
Peninsular Malaysia can be found in many temple
complexes; which vary in size and structure but
mostly are of tower-style pagoda in brick and
stucco. Figure 21 provides a comparison between a
tower-style pagoda in Fujian and Chin Swee
pagoda in Peninsular Malaysia. As it is discernible
in the comparison, Chin Swee pagoda demonstrates
Southern Chinese style by representing more
pronounced upward-curved roofs and eave corners.
5.
CONCLUSION
6. REFERENCES
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of Malaysia. Hampshire: Palgrave.
Cai, Y., & Lu, B. (2008). Chinese architecture:
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Chen, C. (2008). Chinese houses: A pictorial tour
of
China's
traditional
dwellings.
Pleasantville, N.Y.: Reader's Digest
Association
Chen, V. F. (1998). The encyclopedia of Malaysia:
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Press.
Chinese Academy of Architecture. (1982). Ancient
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Crossman, C. L. (1991). The decorative arts of the
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