Assign No 7 - Cambodian Architecture PDF
Assign No 7 - Cambodian Architecture PDF
Assign No 7 - Cambodian Architecture PDF
CAMBODIAN ARCHITECTURE
Assignment No. 7
Student
Instructor
AR31FA3
Section
Date
Table of Contents
References
Salvan, George
I. Influences
III. Examples
IV. Terminology
Architecture in Thailand
and Cambodia
Khmer Architecture
INFLUENCES
GEOLOGICAL
GEOGRAPHICAL
CLIMATIC
Tropical
Southern Indo-China
HISTORICAL
Pre-Colonial Kingdoms
RELIGIOUS
SOCIAL
Devaraja Cult
Khmer People
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
Construction Materials
Sandstone
Primary stone used for temple construction
Came from hills of Phom Kulen (20 km
northeast of Angkor); after it was quarried,
it was floated down the Siem Reap River to
Angkor
Laterite
Typically red hued due to its iron oxide content and sourced from throughout the area
Used as enclosure walls and platforms
Structural Elements
Bas-relief Friezes
Inner walls of the outer gallery bear a series
of large-scale scenes mainly depicting episodes from the Hindu epic the Ramayana
and the Mahabharata, historical events of
the King and Hindu Mythology
Blind Door and Window
Angkorean shrines frequently opened in only
one direction, typically to the East. The other three sides featured fake or blind doors to
maintain symmetry
Blind windows were often used along otherwise blank walls
Colonette
narrow decorative columns that served as
supports for the beams andlintels above
doorways or windows
Depending on the period, they were round,
rectangular, or octagonal in shape
Often circled with molded rings and decorated with carved leaves
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
Khmer Period
stepped pyramid
The evolution of the Temple-Mountain was continued in Baksei Chamkrong, Angkor, the first to be
built-up in stone (laterite) in pyramidal terraces from
flat ground, and Kohker North east of Angkor, constructed on artificial lake by damming a stream a further stage in the evolutionary process came in the
Takeo in which the classical five Terraces and five
colossal towers were introduced
EXAMPLES
Ankor Thom
Angkor Wat
Built
for
King
Suryavarman II
in the early 12 c
BAYON
Temple built
for
King
Jayavarman
VII in the 12th
century
ELEPHANT
TERRACE
A large open
ceremonial areas
that faces the
Royal Square, a
large
reception
area
for
pavilions where visiting royalty could be
entertained in style. The terrace walls contain
scores of carved elephants, garudas, five-headed
horse, and other figures
TEMPLE
MOUNTAIN
The center
of
government
and capital city
Center
of
Hindu
religion;
dedicated to Vishnu, the Buddha
Khmers
adapted
the
Indian concept
of
a
templemountain
draws
its
symbolism from Hindu mythology
Earthly facsimile of Mount Meru, the scared
abode of the gods. The temple as a microcosm
of a central mountain was an essential concept
that had profound influence on Khmer art
CAUSEWAY &
NAGA
BRIDGE
Combination
of a causeway
and
a
moat
provide a dramatic
backdrop for naga or serpent
balustrade that appeared in Khmer
architecture since 9th c. The naga bridges link
the world man to that of the gods on the summit
of the hill. Having crossed over, the pilgrim
ascends the final and grandest staircase
BAPUON
GOPURA
Occupies
a
rectangular of about 208 has (500 acres) defined
by a laterite wall
A
massive
mountain-temple
Main
architecture
feature of the
wall
that
surrounds
a
Khmer temple
EXAMPLES
Angkor Wat
MAIN TOWER
Predominant
architectural
feature
of
Angkor
Form is derived from the
TERMINOLOGY
Naga
A reptilian race of beings who
possessed a large empire or
kingdom in the Pacific Ocean
region
Kala
A ferocious monster symbolic
of time in its all-devouring
aspect and associated with the
destructive side of the god
Shiva
Prasat
Khmer
Gopura
Gateway
Baray
A large, shallow water tank in
the architecture of the Khmer
Empire,
holding
water
for
irrigation and symbolizing the
font of the Hindu cosmos
Khmer Architecture
The architecture of the Khmer
Empire,
characterized
by
temple complexes consisting
of four towers connected by
covered galleries to a central
dominant
tower
that
represents Mount Meru, the
legendary home of the Hindu
gods, and a surrounding moat
symbolizing the cosmic ocean
Dvarapalas
Human or demonic temple
guardians, generally armed with
lances and clubs
Indra
The sky-god reigned supreme
Apsara
Divine nymphs
dancing girls
Gajasimha
or
celestial
...small details
breathes the big
picture life.
flected by the glass bottle. Initially, I thought to myself, What difference does it
make? But at the end of that session, as I looked at my painting, I realized how the
small details breathes the big picture life.
The meticulous sculpture and carvings. The bas-reliefs. The often underrated small details.
One ant cannot lift a sack of rice. But a population of ants carrying a grain each makes the job possible. Likewise, small details that work together finishes the piece of art. It only implies that great
minds do not make great architecture. Patience and endurance do.