History of Architecture 3

Asian Architecture | AR 227

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South Asia

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Southeast
Asia

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East Asia

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 Activity 1
Research on the following. Define the following religions, identify the
belief systems, the gods or origins and note important terms.

✘ Buddhism
✘ Hinduism
✘ Islam

Submit in A4 size paper. 1 page only. No format but make your work as
extensive and comprehensive as you can.
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 South Asia

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 India

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Indian Architecture

• Influenced by history, culture

and religion
• Best known by Hindu temple
architecture and Indo-
Islamic architecture styles.
• Structures sometimes share
the same site, have rhythmic
stratified motifs, and profuse
carved ornamentation, often
combining the religious and
the sensuous.

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 Indian Architecture
• Architecture of the Indian subcontinent
• Characterized by Hindu and Buddhist monuments

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Indus and Ganges
• The chief commercial city of Pakistan is
Karachi, a port founded in the 18th
century and the sea gateway to the Indus
valley.
• Excavations at Mohenjo-Daro & Harappa,
and the Rajasthan, indicate close links
between the so-called “Indus Valley-
Harappan culture and the ancient
Mesopotamia”

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 Indus Valley
Civilization
• Sustained by surplus agricultural
production and commerce
• Trade with Sumer in southern
Mesopotamia.
• Both Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa
are generally characterized as
having "differentiated living
quarters, flat-roofed brick houses,
and fortified administrative or
religious centers.“
• Similarities in system of urban
layout and planning are largely
due to the presence of a semi-
orthogonal type of civic layout
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 Mohenjo-Daro

• “Mound of the Dead Men”

• Archeological site: Sindh, Pakistan
• Largest settlements of the ancient
Indus Valley civilization
• Existed along with the ancient
Egypt, Mesopotamia, Crete and
Norte Chico

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 Mohenjo-Daro

• Discovered in 1921
• Wells were found throughout the
city, and nearly every house
contained a bathing area and
drainage system
• Suggests an ideology based on
cleanliness

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 Harappa

• Archeological site: Punjab,

Pakistan
• Contains the ruins of a Bronze Age
fortified city
• Part of the Indus Valley Civilization
• The city is believed to have had as
many as 23,500 residents and
occupied about 150 hectares (370
acres) with clay brick houses at its
greatest extent during the Mature
Harappan phase

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 Maurya Dynasty

322 BCE – 184 BCE

• Ancient Indian people who united
northern India
• Architecture shows the cultural
influence of Persia and the first
use of dressed stone (stone
worked to desired shape and
smoothed on the face).

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Gupta Dynasty
320-540 CE
• Court was the center of classical Indian
art and literature
• First architects of purpose-built Hindu
(but sometimes also Buddhist) temples
which evolved from the earlier tradition of
rock-cut shrines.
• Earliest substantial architectural remains
are from this period

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 Gupta Dynasty

Golden Age of India

• Science and political
administration reached new
heights
• Achievements in architecture,
sculpture, and painting
influenced the whole region of
South Asia and its nearby
regions

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 Pallava Dynasty

275 CE–897 CE
• Hindu state established in
southern India
• Contributed to the expansion of
Indian culture into Southeast
Asia
• Dravidian architecture - style of
Indian architecture in the Pallava
period (named after the
language spoken in the region)

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 Pallava Dynasty

• Patronized largely architecture

in the region
• Pallavas left behind magnificent
sculptures and temples,
established the foundations of
medieval South Indian
architecture.
• One example is the Shore
Temple.

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 Shore Temple

• Built with blocks of granite, dating from the 8th

century AD.
• The site was a busy port during the Pallava Dynasty.
• Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.
• It is one of the oldest structural (versus rock-cut)
stone temples of South India.

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Buddhist Structures

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 Stupa

Dhamek Stupa
• A Buddhist memorial mound to
enshrine a relic of Buddha.
• Ceylon (Sri Lanka) - dagoba
• Tibet and Nepal - chorten
• Dome-shaped mound on a
platform, crowned by a chattri,
surrounded by an ambulatory
(stone vedika), with four toranas

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Plan of the
Mahastupa at
Sanchi

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Elevation of the Mahastupa at Sanchi

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Parts
of a
Stupa

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 Chaitya

Interior: Bhaja, near Lonavla, India

• A chaitya is a Buddhist shrine or
prayer hall with a stupa at one
end
• Also called chaitya-griha or
caitya

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 Vihara

Monastery often excavated from

solid rock for Buddhist renunciates.

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Hindu temples

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 Mandir

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

• Hindu temple
• Ratha - a Hindu temple cut out of
solid rock to resemble a chariot
• Vimana – sanctuary of a Hindu
temple in which a deity is
enshrined

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 Amalaka – bulbous stone finial of a sikhara.
Sikhara – tower usually tapered convexly and
capped by an amalaka
Gopuram – monumentally, usually ornate
gateway tower
Mandapa – large, porch-like hall and used for
religious dancing and music
Parts of a
Adha Mandapa – entrance porch
Hindu Mandir Antarala – a vestibule
Maha Mandapa – the Great Hall
Urushringa – a subsidiary sikhara
Garba Griha – a shrine inside the sikhara
Jagati – Platform of the mandir
Adhisthana – the base platform

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Parts of a
Hindu Mandir

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 Shore Temple

One of the oldest freestanding

Hindu temple

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Mughal Architecture
Indo-Islamic: blended traditions from India and Islam
(Golden Age of Islamic Architecture in Northern India)

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 Diwan-i-Kas and
Diwan-i-am
Fatehpur Sikri Diwan-i-Kas, India
• Diwan-i-Kas - Hall of Private
Audience, divided by
overhanging moldings called
chajja.
• Diwan-i-Am - Hall of Public
Audience

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 Humayun’s Tomb

New Delhi, India

• Forerunner of Taj Mahal
• Oldest of the Mughal
monuments

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 Fatehpur Sikri

• City of Victory
• Capital of the Mughal
Empire
• Built by Emperor Akbar

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 Jamah Masjid

• The Great Mosque

• One of the biggest
in India
• At the center of
the court is the
tomb of Shaikh
Salim, a Sufi saint

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 Taj Mahal

Agra, India
• Most renowned example of
Mughal architecture
• “Crown Palace”
• Built by Shah Jahan as a
tomb for his wife, Mumtaz
Mahal
• Also called Rauza-i-
Munavvara which means
“Illumined Tomb”

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 Taj Mahal

• Placed on a chahar bagh, a

platform at the end of a
walled garden divided by
canals.
• The marble facade is
decorated with floral motifs
and a type of inlay called
pietra dura (using cut,
fitted, and polished colored
stones to create images).

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 Taj Mahal

Site Plan of Taj Mahal

• Entrance
• Gateway
• Mausoleum
• Guest quarters
• Tomb-mosque
• Yamuna River

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Taj Mahal (Yamuna River)

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Plan and Section of
Taj Mahal

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The faux tombs of Shah Jahan
and Mumtaz Mahal inside the Taj
Mahal

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Indo-Saracenic Architecture
Also known as Indo-Gothic, Mughal-Gothic, and Hindoo Style

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 Indo-saracenic
architecture
• Combination of Indo-
Islamic architecture
(Mughal architecture) and
European Gothic Revival
and Neo-Classical
• “Saracen” – term used by
the colonizers to refer to
Muslim and Arabic-
speaking regions (Middle
East and North Africa)

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 Indo-saracenic
architecture
• Revivalism in architecture is
the use of visual styles that
consciously echo the style
of a previous architectural
era.
• Used by British architects in
India in late 19th century
during the British Raj

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 Mysore Palace,
Karnataka
• Official residence of the
Wadiyar dynasty and the
seat of the Kingdom of
Mysore
• Mysore is commonly
described as the 'City of
Palaces'
• There are seven palaces,
'Mysore Palace' refers
specifically to this one
within the Old fort.

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 Chapeauk Palace

• First Indo-Saracenic
building (1768)

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 Chhatrapati Shivaji
Maharaj Terminus
Mumbai
• Designed by British
architectural engineer
Frederick William Stevens
• Originally named Victoria
Terminus
• Chhatrapati Shivaji
Terminus (station code
CST) in March 1996

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 Municipal Corporation
Building
Mumbai
• Commissioned by Arthur
Crawford and completed in
1893
• Located across Victoria
Terminus now known as
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Terminus
• Heavily influenced by Gothic
design

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 St. Andrew’s Church,
Chennai
• Designed by Major Thomas
de Havilland and Colonel
James Caldwell of the
Madras Engineers.
• Inspired by Neo-Classical
architecture, The body of
the church is a circle, with
rectangular compartments
to the east and west. The
church has 16 fluted pillars
with Corinthian capitals.

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 Victoria Memorial

Culcutta
• Dedicated to the memory of
Queen Victoria
• Designed by William
Emerson
• Built with white Makrana
marble
• Design echoes the Taj Mahal
with its dome, four
subsidiaries, octagonal-
domed chattris, high
portals, terrace, and domed
corner towers.

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 South Asia

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 Sri Lanka
INDIAN OCEAN

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 Victoria Memorial,
Culcutta
• Known from the beginning
of British colonial rule until
1972 as Ceylon
• Ceylon has been the center
of international trade, due
to its strategic position on
the West to East sea routes
and its fine natural harbors.

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 Ceylon

• Lanka – “resplendent land”

referenced from Ramayana
• Also called India’s “Fallen
Tear”
• Predominantly Buddhist,
Tamils retained Hindu
origins, and the Arab and
Malayan settlers follows
Islam
• Population is called
Sinhalese. Sinhala is an
ethnic group native to the
island of Sri Lanka.

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Sri Lankan Architecture
• The architecture of Sri Lanka displays a
rich variety of architectural forms and
styles.
• Introduced to the island in the 3rd
century BCE, Buddhism had a significant
influence on their architecture.

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History
3 Significant Periods :
• Anuradhapura Period
• Polonnaruwa Period
• Kandyan Period

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 Anuradhapura Period

377 BC - 1017 AD
• First King: Pandukabhaya
• King of Upatissa Nuwara
• Moved the
administration to
Anuradhapura
• First monarch
• Anuradhapura is known as an
ancient cosmopolitan citadel
with diverse populations,

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 Sigiriya Rock

• 200-meter tall
• Residence of King Kasyasa
• Kasyasa marked his regal
territory with impressive
frescoes and, of course, an
opulent lion gateway.

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 Sigiriya Rock

• Also known as the

Lion Rock
• One of the best-
preserved
examples of
ancient urban
planning in the
world

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 Kuttam Pokuna

Anuradhapura
• An ancient bathing pool of the
Sinhalese in Anuradhapura.
• “Twin Ponds/Pools”

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 Kuttam Pokuna

• Built as the bathing ponds for the

monks of Abhayagiri Monastery in
northern Anuradhapura.
• The water is channeled through a
sophisticated system of filtration
to gush out of a lion's head. At the
far end of the Kuttam Pokuna
ponds is a system to trap mud and
dirt. When water flows into the pit,
mud and dirt sink to the bottom,
ensuring that clean water flows
into the Kuttam Pokuna ponds.

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Sinhalese Sinhalese architecture shows the sensitivity
shown towards the natural landscape and its
Architecture intimate relationship to the buildings.

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 Kuttam Pokuna

11th - 13th century CE

• The second most ancient of
Sri Lanka's kingdoms,
Polonnaruwa was first
declared the capital city by
King Vijayabahu I, who
defeated Chola invaders in
1070 to reunite the country
once more under a local
leader.
• The building of this city was
the principal architectural
undertaking of King
Parakrama Bahu the Great.
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 Royal Palace

Polonnaruwa
• This group of buildings dates
from the period of King
Parakramabahu I (1153 – 1186).
• The King’s Royal Palace is a
massive structure, measuring
31 m by 13 m, once including
50 rooms supported by 30
columns.

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 Lantikala Temple

• Built by King Parakramabahu

lying on the South of Kiri
Vehera
• Walls made of bricks
• Outer walls covered with
elaborate designs and
carvings
• An example of a Gedi-Ge style
building.

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 • Rock temple of the Buddha in
Polonnaruwa in North Central Province
Gal Vihara (Rock Temple) • Considered to be some of the best
examples of ancient Sinhalese sculpting
and carving arts
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 Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
• Built during the reign of Parakramabahu I to hold the relic of the
Vatadage tooth of the Buddha or during the reign of Nissanka Malla of
Polonnaruwa to hold the alms bowl used by the Buddha.

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Vatadage
 Lovamahapaya

Anuradapura
• Brazen Palace
• Built by King Dutugamunu,
composed of 1600 stone
pillars in 40 rows of the
Brazen Palace.

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 Thuparama Dagoba

Anuradhapura
• It was constructed by
Devanampiya Tissa in the 3rd
century BC and is said to
contain the right collarbone
of the Buddha.
• Thuparamaya Dagoba has
been built in the shape of a
bell.
• It is a Buddhist sacred place
of veneration.

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 Abhayagiri Dagoba

Anuradapura
• The name means ‘Hill of
Protection’ or ‘Fearless Hill’.
• The Saddarma Rathnawaliya
scripture records that a
statue of a golden bull
containing relics of the
Buddha was buried in the
core of the stupa.

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 Ruwanwelisaya Dagoba

Anuradapura
• The Golden Sand Stupa
• Considered a marvel for its
architectural qualities and
sacred to many Buddhists all
over the world.

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 Ambasthale Dagoba

Anuradapura
• The main ceremonial
stairway, lined with frangipani
trees, leads to the
Ambasthale Dagoba, built
over the spot where Mahinda
(son of Emperor Ashoka and
a Buddhist monk) converted
Devanampiya Tissa, king of
Anuradapura to Buddhism.

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Pillars
• Pillars have a signified place in the peritylar
architecture.
• Square or octagonal in section, the capital
socketed into the top, is of plain hexagonal
vase shape, with a carved abacus above and
moldings between; sometimes the shaft and
capital were cut in one piece.

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 Yapahuwa Rock Fortress

Polonnaruwa
• Yapahuwa was one of the
ephemeral capitals of
medieval Sri Lanka.
• The citadel of Yapahuwa lying
midway between Kurunagala
and Anuradhapura was built
around a huge granite rock
rising abruptly almost a
hundred meters above the
surrounding lowlands.

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Yapahuwa Rock Fortress

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 Yapahuwa Rock Fortress

• Built on a huge, 90 meter high rock boulder

in the style of the Sigiriya rock fortress.
• Yapahuwa was a palace and military
stronghold against foreign invaders.
• On top of the rock are the remains of a
stupa, a Bodhi tree enclosure, and a rock
shelter/cave used by Buddhist monks,
indicating that earlier this site was used as a
Buddhist monastery.

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 Kandyan Period

Division of the country into

several kingdoms
Capital: Kandy
• Portuguese and Dutch
introduced the late
Renaissance and Baroque
into the colonial styles.
• British brought a Colonial
Georgian.
• Moslem merchants and
seafarers had little influence
on architecture.

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 Kandyan Architecture

• Wooden architecture – traditional

framed structure of pillars and
beams made of timber, richly
carved with traditional motifs.
• Roofs – high pitched with wide
eaves, slightly curved, finished with
small flat terracotta tiles and
eaves tiles
• Decorative craftwork - ancient
motifs used as an integral part of
the building. (e.g. windows with
lacquered wood bars, carved
timbers doorway, ornamental
metal work door furniture, painted
walls, terracotta bas relief wall
plaques and eaves tiles)
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 Kandyan Architecture

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

• Located in the royal palace
complex of the former Kingdom
of Kandy
• Paththirippuwa or Pattirippuwa
• octagonal pavilion
• one of three main structures
of the temple
• Name is based on Tamil
language: "Parthu" means
'to see’ and "Irippu" means
'seated’. Together it means
'to sit and see all around'

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 Temple of the
Sacred Tooth
Relic
Interior has roof paintings.

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 Sri Lankan
Architecture
• Cave Temples
• Dagobas
• Vatadage
• Palaces

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 South Asia

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 Nepal

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 Nepalese Architecture

• Mainly influenced by China, India

and Tibet as it situated along
these countries’ trade routes.

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 Nepalese Architecture

• Pagoda style is prominent

among Hindu temples in the
country.
• Pagoda architectural tradition
and traditional Tibetan Buddhist
architecture are widely used
among Buddhist temples
throughout the country instead
of stupas
• Mugal style, summit style, dome
style also have great scope in
Nepal.

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 Newar Architecture

• Indigenous style of architecture

by the Newari people in the
Kathmandu valley in Nepal.
• Used in buildings ranging from
stupas and chaitya monastery
buildings to courtyard structures
and distinctive houses.
• Marked by striking brick work
and a unique style of wood
carvings
• Propagated by Nepalese
architect Arniko

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 The Great Drigung
Kagyud Lotus Stupa
Lumbini, Nepal
• Stupa constructed by the
German Tara Foundation
• Contains a hollow crown partly
covered in glass, revealing a small
Buddha within
• The domed ceiling of the main
prayer room is covered in
Buddhist murals.

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 Swayambhunath Stupa

Kathmandu, Nepal
• An ancient religious architecture atop a hill in the
Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city.
• Tibetan name for the site means 'Sublime Trees’

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 Swayambhunath Stupa

Carvings of the Panch Buddhas (five Buddhas)

on each of the four sides of stupa.
• Vairochana (occupies the center and is the
master of the temple)
• Akshobhya (faces the east and represents
the cosmic element of consciousness)
• Ratna Sambhava (faces the south and
represents the cosmic element of
sensation)
• Amitabha (represents cosmic element of
Sanjna and always faces the west)
• Amoghsiddhi (represents the cosmic
element of conformation and faces the
north)
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 Boudhanath Stupa

• The stupa’s massive mandala

makes it one of the largest
spherical stupas in Nepal.
• Large amounts of gold were used
to decorate the building.
• Took almost seven years to finish
the stupa
• Built in the 14th century after the
Mughal invasions

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 Pasupatinath Temple
• Hindu temple located
along Bagmati River at the
northeast of Kathmandu Valley.
• Constructed by Lichhavi King
Shupuspa in 15th century after
the previous building had been
consumed by termites.
• Beautifully carved wooden rafters
on which they rest (tundal)
• The two-level roofs are of copper
with gold covering.
• The temple resides on a square
base platform with a height of
almost 23m from base to
pinnacle which is made of gold.
• It has four main doors, all covered
with silver sheets. 100
 Maju Dega

• Built in 1692 by Queen Mother

Riddhi Laxmi (mother of infant
King Bhupatendra Malla).
• The doorway, columns, windows
and struts are all carved from
wood.
• Inside the temple, an enormous
shiva linga, the emblem of Lord
Shiva, is located

101
 Maju Dega

• Constructed during the reign of

King Siddhinarasimha Malla and
his son Srinivasa Sukriti, built in
the Shikhara style.
• Patan – one of the oldest known
Buddhist cities, center of
both Hinduism and Buddhism
with 136 bahals or courtyards
and 55 major temples.
• Stone carvings along the beam
above the first floor narrate the
events of the Mahabharata while
the second-floor pillar are visual
carvings from Ramayana
102
Krishna Temple and Maju Dega

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 South Asia

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 somewhere here

Tibet

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107
 Tibetan Architecture

• Architecture in Tibet is influenced

by Chinese and Indian
architecture
• Many unique features brought
about by its adaptation to the
cold, generally arid, high-altitude
climate of the Tibetan plateau.

108
 Geography

• Tibet is the highest region in the

world lying at the heart of the
Himalayas.
• Large plateau varying in height
between 4,000 and 5,000 meters
above sea level.
• Very thinly populated, the
inhabited areas generally
centered upon monastic
settlements are almost exclusive
in the South, where sheep and
yaks are gazed, and some
agriculture is possible.

109
History & Social
• Small regional kingdoms existed until the 17th
century, united under King Stron-Btsang-
Gampo, whose two wives, Nepalese and
Chinese princesses, were both Buddhists.
• Tibetan rulers - Buddhism: cultural history has
been a direst reflection of the development of
the faith.
• Monasteries multiplied and were highly
privileged, leading ultimately to a form of the
theocratic government, in which the chief
Abbot became ruler of Tibet.

110
 Tibetan Architecture

• Originally follow an animist faith, Bon

or Bonpo, which included elements of
mysticism and sorcery.
• In 630AD, Mahayana Buddhism was
introduced, tempered by indigenous
folk cults, and in the next century
Tantric Buddhism, prevalent in
neighboring countries, was established
by Padma-Sambhava.
• 300 years later the final and lasting
form of Tibetan Buddhism was shaped
by the patriarch Atisa; the cult of
Bodhisattva (one who has evolved to
attain Buddhahood), magic, animism
and the belief in the living Buddha.
111
 • Temples - used for religious ceremonies and
worship
Types of Tibetan • Stupa (chorten) - reliquaries and symbols
Architecture • Palace – residence of the Dalai Lama
• Common house types

112
Potala Palace

113
 Potala Palace

Lhasa, Tibet
• Designated as a World Heritage
Site in 1994 and
• Includes the Norbulingka area in
2001
• Stands at 117 meters in height
and 360 meters in width

114
 Potala Palace

Lhasa, Tibet
• Originally built in the 7th century,
developed later in the 17th
century to become a palace
• Home to the Dalai Lamas
between the 17th and mid-20th
century

115
Norbulingka Lhasa, Tibet
• Unique example of Tibetan palace architecture
• The gardens generally considered to be the finest
in Tibet

116
 Jokhang Palace

Lhasa, Tibet
• The oldest parts of the building
date from 652 CE, built over
period of many centuries
• Influenced by Indian and Nepali
styles, as well as Tibetan

117
 Gompas
• Monasteries in Tibet that come in a
great variety of styles, generally
reflecting local architectural
traditions

118
 Samye Monastery

• Full name is Samye Mighur

Lhundrub Tsula Khang, also
known as the Shrine of
Unchanging Spontaneous
Presence
• First gompa built in Tibet
• Constructed between 775-779
under King Trison Detsen
• Modeled after the design of
Odantapuri

119
Bhavacakra
• “Wheel of Life”
• Depicted in the entrance of almost every
Tibetan Buddhist monastery
• The demon represents Impermanence. It holds
an enormous wheel whose rim depicts the
principle of karma

120
 Tibetan Chortens

• Tibetan Buddhist stupa built to

enshrine relics of the Buddha.
• Thousands were built by pilgrims
and devotees seeking Buddhist
merit over the centuries.

121
Types of Tibetan Chorten

Lotus Blossom Stupa

Enlightenment Stupa

Stupa of Many Doors or Gates

Stupa of Descent from the Golden Realms

Stupa of Great Miracles or Stupa of Conquest of Tirthikas

Stupa of Reconciliation

Stupa of Complete Victory

Parinirvana or Stupa of Nirvana

122
Part of Tibetan Chorten
1. Throne: Foundation and Face - 3 steps/3
refuges
2. 4 Steps: 4 Immeasurables
3. Bumpa: 7 elements of Enlightenment
4. Harmika: 8 Fold Path
5. 13 Bhumis
6. Parasol: Compassion
7. Moon: Bodhicitta
Sun: Prajna
Jewel: Enlightenment
Lotus bloom stupa
• Buddha's Birth in the Lumbini Garden at
Kapilavastu in Northern India in the 6th
Century BCE.
• The steps of the stupa are round and
decorat.ed with lotus flower petals.

124
Enlightenment Stupa
• Buddha’s attained Enlightenment at age 35
after meditating for 49 days under a tree at
Bodh Gaya
• The steps of this stupa are rectangular and
without any decoration.

125
Stupa of Many Doorways
• Also known as the Stupa of Turning the Wheel
of Dharma
• Buddha's first teachings after Enlightenment in
the Deer Park at Sarnath: Four Noble Truths,
Six Perfections, Noble Eightfold Path and the
Twelve Links of Dependent Origination.
• The steps of this stupa are decorated with
doorways symbolizing the opening of the
doors of the Dharma.

126
Great Miracle Stupa
• This stupa commemorates the Buddha's
display of miracles at Shravasti where he was
challenged to demonstrate his realization and
performed a different miracle every day for 15
days.
• Each of the four steps, in each of the four
directions, have central extensions.

127
The Stupa of the Descent
from Tushita Heaven
• When Buddha's mother was reincarnated in
another realm, he went there to teach her
Dharma.
• Represents Buddha's return from the celestial
realms in order to continue teaching the path
to enlightenment.
• Each side of the stupa has a stairway in the
center of the four steps.

128
Stupa of Reconciliation
• Symbolizes the Buddha’s reuniting of his
monastic followers after they had become
divided by disagreement.
• The steps are octagonal with eight corners and
eight sides.

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Stupa of Complete Victory
• Symbolizes Buddha's prolonging of his life by
three months after one of his disciples had
pleaded him not to pass away.
• The steps of this stupa are round.

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Parinirvana Stupa
• Stupa of Nirvana
• Symbolizes Buddha's passing unto nirvana
• The base of this stupa rests directly on the
throne without any steps.

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Tibetan Kham, Tibet
Monasteries • Monasteries and nunneries were destroyed during
the Chinese invasion and the Cultural Revolution are
being rebuilt.

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Tibetan Residential
Architecture
• Square bedroom with functional furniture
• Most bedrooms use 2×2 m column grid as a
unit, forming a combination of 4×4 m square.
• The buildings are about 2.2-2.4 m high.
• There are mats, furniture bed, small square
table, Tibetan cabinet, with small, assembly,
multi-use features.
• Furniture layout along the wall, fully using the
interior corners area.

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Tibetan Residential
Architecture
• Private homes may have up to three stories.
• Herding houses temporarily used during a part
of the year have only one story.
• Walls constructed of stone or rammed earth
up to a meter thick at the base.
• Temples and manor homes have walls sloping
inward to create an illusion of greater height.
• Windows - usually small because the walls are
so heavy that large openings would make the
structure unstable

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Tibetan Residential • Flat roofs - used in most parts of the central and
western Tibetan plateau where there are few
Architecture instances of rainfall
• Sloping roofs - covered in slate, shingles or ceramic
tiles due to heavier summer rains

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 Tibetan Residential
Architecture
• Small compounds
• Resemble small fortresses with
sloping walls
• Prayer flags on their turrets
• Flat earthen roofs are pounded
with sticks with rocks at the end

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 Tibetan Residential
Architecture
• Built depending on the
availability of materials
• Stone houses in valley of
Southern Tibet
• Tent houses in the Northern Tibet
• Wooden structure houses in the
forest regions
• City houses
• Big windows facing south
• Many live in castle-like houses.

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