Chinese Architectural Brackets

Summary

In this video, Richard explores the ancient art of Chinese timber framing, focusing on a replica of a corner bracket set from the Temple of Solitary Joy near Beijing. He discusses the temple's ability to withstand earthquakes due to its flexible design, akin to the human body. Richard details the construction and significance of the bracket set, highlighting its tiered structure, use of gravity for assembly, and the role of purlins in creating the roof's curve. He expresses admiration for the creativity and complexity of Chinese architecture.

Takeaways

• 🏗️ Richard is a carpenter who discovered Asian timber framing and became interested in Chinese temple building.
• 🏛 He showcases a replica of a corner bracket set from the Temple of Solitary Joy, located outside Beijing, China.
• 🌏 The temple has survived over 30 earthquakes due to its flexible design, similar to the human body.
• 🏡 The bracket sets support wide overhangs which protect the building from rain and provide shade.
• 🔍 Richard explains that the early walls were made of dried clay, hence the need for a wide roof for protection.
• 🗿 Inside the temple, there are dramatic warrior figures intended to scare away bad thoughts and spirits.
• 🪵 The Chinese bracket set, called 'gou die', uses small bearing blocks and beams interwoven to create flexibility.
• 🧩 The bracket sets are held together by gravity, with pieces resting on top of each other, often with wooden pegs for alignment.
• 🏗️ The construction process involves assembling the bracket sets piece by piece in a specific order.
• 🔼 The bracket sets are classified by the number of tiers and steps, which help support the roof's wide reach.
• 🛠️ The joinery of the bracket sets is straightforward, often using simple half-lap joints, allowing for flexibility.

Q & A

What is the main profession of Richard?

Richard works as a carpenter and framer.

What type of framing tradition did Richard discover that differs from the Western tradition?

Richard discovered Asian timber framing, specifically Chinese temple building.

What is the significance of the replica that Richard discusses?

The replica is a corner bracket set from the Temple of Solitary Joy located outside Beijing, China, and it survived over 30 major earthquakes.

How does the flexibility of the Chinese temple buildings contribute to their earthquake resistance?

The buildings are designed to be flexible, allowing them to move and dissipate energy during an earthquake without absorbing the full shock.

What is the main deity housed in the main hall of the Temple of Solitary Joy?

The main hall houses a 50-foot sculpture of the goddess Guan Yin, also known as the goddess of mercy.

Why are the roofs of Chinese temples designed with a wide overhang?

The wide overhang serves three purposes: protecting the building from rain, providing shade, and creating a sense of proportion.

What is the primary method that holds the bracket sets together in Chinese architecture?

The bracket sets are held together primarily by gravity, with each piece resting on top of another.

How does the design of the bracket sets contribute to the flexibility of the structure?

The interweaving and joining of many surfaces in the bracket sets create flexibility and friction, which helps to dissipate shaking forces from earthquakes.

What is the significance of the two Warriors inside the temple?

The two Warriors are believed to scare away bad thoughts and bad spirits trying to enter the temple grounds.

How are the bracket sets classified in Chinese architecture?

Bracket sets are classified by the number of tiers and the number of steps out from the wall plane.

What is the role of purlins in the construction of the roof?

Purlins are horizontal beams on which rafters rest. They help to create the slope of the roof and allow for a segmented curve from the eave to the ridge.