Architecture in the Postclassical Era
By: Thomas V. Nguyen
Introduction- The Development of Architecture in Chinese and Western
European society (Background Information)
The Postclassical Era (600-1450 CE) marked a very important time period for Western
Europe. Until this period, Western Europe had never been the main attraction, which was usually
the more dominant Arab or Chinese civilization. This era witnessed a deepening as well as a
widening of old and new networks of human interaction within and across regions, resulting in
mass concentrations of wealth and the intensification of cultural exchanges. With interactions
growing, certain technological traditions were diffused. Transportation contributed to the
expansion of commercial networks, which resulted in cultural, technological, and biological
diffusion within and between various societies. This is how Western European Postclassical
(Medieval) architecture came to be, with a little bit of inspiration from religion and luck from the
influence of nearby regions. Western European architecture sustained the use of the same
supporting architecture in their cathedrals, however, the main style and attraction changed from
Romanesque to Gothic architecture during this time period.
The Postclassical Era for the Chinese civilization was a time of vital consolidation. Although
less fundamental changes occurred than in Western Europe, some of the innovations, especially
the technological ones, affected the world. Trade and city life declined, and thought degenerated
into the quest for magical cures and immortality; The Chinese civilization had been reversed.
However, the reestablishment of a centralized empire under the Sui Dynasty (589-618 AD), and
the rapid revival of patterns of civilized life under the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), soon lead to
ideas of unification. With political unification and the rapid expansion of commercial agriculture
came a rebirth in the arts, religion, and invention brought fully to power under the Song Dynasty
(960-1279 AD). New Buddhist-influenced architecture developed as a result, however, the
fundamental Chinese building principles remained the same throughout this time period.
Western European Architecture
Medieval architecture during the 11th and 12th centuries of the Postclassical Era followed
Roman models. This type of architecture developed from religion in Northern Italy, which was
Orthodox Christianity at the time. This was exemplified by the fact that most buildings that were
built using this type of architecture were, in fact, church buildings, using a rectangular, or
Romanesque style which was sometimes surmounted by domes. They had round arches and
vaults, and a heavy roof, which was usually made out of stone to prevent burning, held up by thick
walls that had tiny windows to let in light, and pillars. Stained glass designs and scenes for
churches were important forms of artistic expression in this period of time.
During the 12th century, a change in Western European architecture that lasted until the
16th century became apparent. This style was far more original than the previous Romanesque
style, although it had benefitted from the knowledge of Muslim design plus advances in structural
engineering in the West itself. Many well-known architects soon picked up this manner, including
Chartres, Reims, Amiens, and Beauvais. Over time, Gothic architecture was spread to France.
Gothic architecture, derived from a Germanic tribe named the “Goths”, developed mainly because
of religion, which is similar to how Romanesque architecture developed, for the Western
Europeans believed that architecture was meant to serve the glory of God. This new style did not
use the domes in earlier Romanesque buildings, but included soaring church spires thrusting
upward as if reaching towards heaven, and tall arched windows with light streaming through.
Most cathedrals built in this style had pointed ribbed vaults and arches improved from
Romanesque, which supported the weight of the roof, flying buttresses that supported the walls
from the outside by acting as wind braces, and similar to Romanesque architecture, huge stained
glass windows. Sculptures, wood carvings, and stained glass windows were all centered around
Gothic churches. Cathedrals represented the work of God, and were usually decorated with
richness that people could offer. Although Gothic architects focused on creating churches and
great cathedrals, some civic buildings and palaces also picked up the Gothic motif. The Gothic style
of architecture was built on growing technical skills and deep popular devotion which was
expressed in the money collected to build the giant monuments and the patient labor need for
construction that usually lasted for many decades. The originality of this style reflected the
Western ability to find new means of expression, just as the use of this style exemplified the
ongoing power of medieval models.
Chinese Architecture
Unlike the architecture in Western Europe, the structural and fundamental principles of
Chinese architecture have remained constant throughout the years, occasionally varying in
decoration. All ancient Chinese architecture was built according to strict rules of design that made
Chinese buildings follow the ideas of Taoism or other Chinese philosophies. The first idea was that
buildings should be long and low rather than tall. The roof would be held up by columns, and
would seem to be floating over the ground. As Taoism emphasized balance, the second idea was
symmetry: both sides of the buildings should be the same. This form can found almost anywhere
in Chinese architecture, ranging from palaces, to even farmhouses. However, most gardens acted
as an exception for they were usually asymmetrical to create enduring flow, as the Chinese
believed. The Chinese held on to these basic principles, using them as a guide to follow through
and to remember their style of architecture.
Traditional Chinese architecture involves constructing buildings or building complexes that
take up an entire property but enclose open spaces within itself. Most Chinese buildings, especially
those of the wealthy class, are built with an emphasis on breadth and less on height, with closed
heavy platforms and a large roof that floats over the base, rarely ever emphasizing on the vertical
walls. The spaces come in two forms: the open courtyard, and the “sky well”. Large open
courtyards are less commonly found in Southern Chinese architecture, whereas “sky wells” are
more evident. “Sky wells” are enclosed courtyards formed at the intersections of closely spaced
buildings that offer a small opening to the sky through the roof space from the floor up, and
sometimes serve as vents for rising hot air.
The biggest change in Chinese architecture happened when Buddhism first came to China
from India. During the Tang Dynasty (618-987 AD) many Chinese architects began to build
Grottoes, which are outdoor art museums of stone carvings that have significant value. The
Chinese would usually carve on the side of mountains, decorating them with painted sculptures,
carvings, and frescos. Following the construction of grottoes, the Chinese began to build pagodas,
which were related to the Indian buildings, “Stupas”, built for the sole purpose of keeping the
sacred things in. Under the Tang Dynasty, architects developed and enhanced Buddhist pagodas,
making them with eight sides. A switch was made from the material used at this time also, for
brick and stone architecture gradually became more common and replaced wooden edifices. As
time passed, people of the Song Dynasty, starting in the year 960 AD, wanted their pagodas to be
tall and thin, with high spires, making them even fancier by adding and decorating complicated
wooden lattices all around. The Chinese continued building pagodas, improving on and fixing
previous mistakes along the way. They developed some new forms of architecture, but kept on to
previous ones also, totaling 5 different forms in all: Imperial, Buddhist, Taoist, and Garden
architecture, as well as Chinese Temples.
Conclusion: Trends and Changes
As the Postclassical Era was a time of growing and intensifying human contacts across
several regions, technology was able to grow and diffuse. In Western Europe and China, a
compelling example is exemplified of the result of interaction. Both civilizations witnessed a
change in their architecture during the Postclassical Era, whether it was sudden and new, or a
mere renaissance. Interest in new styles of architecture was sometimes sparked by religion, but
also the inevitable growth of technology that enabled greater variation and durability with style.
Western European architecture changed with the introduction of “Gothic” architecture,
which served a more religious purpose than its predecessor, “Romanesque” architecture.
However, important continuities also arose in the architecture of Western Europe, including the
repeated use of supporting architecture, such as: vaults, arches, and stained glass windows,
although improved greatly. In the Chinese civilization, the fundamental principles for almost every
building served as the continuity, while the development, and later, the many renovations of new
Buddhist architectures served as the change.