Have you ever wondered how ancient builders in the Chinese mainland created structures that still stand over a thousand years later? In a recent CGTN interview, Professor Zhang Jie from Tsinghua University’s School of Architecture spilled the tea on architectural tech we still can’t beat—even in our AI-driven age. 🤔🏯
One star of the show is the dougong bracket system. This interlocking timber method works like a natural shock absorber for earthquakes. According to Prof Zhang, it allows buildings to flex and stay intact, a feat that modern concrete sometimes struggles with.
Timber joinery is another lost art. Ancient craftsmen used precise mortise-and-tenon joints—no nails needed—to fit massive beams together. Visit the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda in Shanxi, and you’ll see this genius in action, standing tall since 1056!
But it’s not just about wood. Ancient planners nailing Fengshui alignment and city layouts played a part too. From the gridded roads of Chang’an to courtyard designs for passive cooling, they maximized comfort and harmony long before air conditioning and CAD software.
Here’s a quick list of mind-blowing ancient techniques:
- Dougong bracket system 🧱
- Mortise-and-tenon joinery 🔨
- Earthquake-resistant zoning 🌍
- Passive cooling courtyards ❄️
As architecture goes digital, Prof Zhang reminds us that blending AI tools with these time-tested tricks could spark the next design revolution. So next time you admire a sleek skyscraper, give a nod to the masters of the past! 🤓✨
Reference(s):
Tsinghua Professor on Ancient Wisdom of Chinese Architecture
cgtn.com
