Buddhist Architecture

Stambhas or Laths monumental pillars

Stupas domical mounds which are ceremonial shrines

Chaityas assembly halls Viharas monasteries Stambhas Free - standing pillars rising up to great heights (about 40 feet) topped with a stone lion Made of bricks, circular or square pillars Carried inscriptions regarding Buddhism or royal edicts of king Ashoka Usually erected near a Stupa Lineage of Stambha a. "Ashokan pillar" with lion figure b. Jaina monolithic free standing pillar c. An example of a Hindu pillar d. Jaina "Mana-Stambha" in south India Chaitya Assembly Hall Consists of Apsidal-ended hall with closely spaced pillars at each side Aisles and Amblatory Stupa shrine is placed at the Apse Roofs - semicircular in section with ribs cut from the rock Facade - low entrance portico, horeshoe shaped window with rockcut or wooden tracery

Viharas Monastery - secluded place or dwelling for monks Walled quadrangular court with flanked by a row Stupa of small cells and a pillared veranda in front Commemorative monuments for enshrining sacred Or a hall for congregation with a running relics veranda on 3 sides Cells were fitted with rock-cut platforms for beds Five Purified Elements and pillows 1. The square base represents earth Later became centers for learning, universities 2. The hemispherical dome/vase represents water (ex. Nalanda) 3. The conical spire represents fire Three Types: 4. The upper lotus parasol and the crescent moon Wood construction/ thatched-bamboo represents air huts 5. The sun and the dissolving point represents the Stone or brick element of space Rock-cut
Hindu Architecture Temples or Mandir Inner sanctum - garbha griha or womb chamber (houses deities) Circumambulation Congregation Hall - mandap Antechamber Porch Garbha griha is crowned by a shikara (tower-like superstructure)

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Indo-Islam Architecture Arcuated, mortar-masonry works of dressed stones New Elements: Use of geometric shapes (instead of natural forms) Inscriptional art - calligraphy Inlay decoration and colored marble Painted plaster Brightly colored glazed tiles Architectural Types: Religious - mosques (masjid) and tombs (magbara) Secular - palaces and forts

Mosque or Masjid An open courtyard surrounded by a pillared verandah, crowned off with a dome Entrances are from three sides. The fourth side is a structure -- a closed prayer hall. Parts of a Masjid Sihn Liwan Qbla
Mihrab

Courtyard Entered through three flights of steps on three sides Arcaded cloisters or galleries on three sides of the sihn Direction of Mecca (in India it is the west)
The niche that marks the qbla

Mimbar Maqsura

Pulpit (a raised dais) from which the imam conducts the prayer Screen between the west Liwan and a depth of several bays Facade with a central monumental arch in a square or rectangular frame, and further flanked by small arches One or three domes which serves as the hall's roof Placed on either ends of the hall or facade Tall towers from which the call for prayer is made by the muezzin

Gumbhad or Ghumbhaz Minars

Tomb or Maqbara Consists of a solitary compartment or tomb chamber knowns as the huzrah in whose center is the cenotaph or zarih Entire structure is covered with an elaborate dome In the underground chamber lies the mortuary or the maqbara, in which the corpse is buried in a grave or qabr Taj Mahal Floor Plan Base structure is essentially a large, multi-chambered cube with chamfered corners, forming an unequal octagon that is approximately 55 meters on each of the four long sides On each of the three sides, a massive pishtaq, or vaulted archway, frames the iwan with two similarly shaped, arched balconies stacked on either side Four minarets frame the tomb, one at each corner of the plinth facing the chamfered corners

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Vastu Shastra
Traditional Hindu science of design and constructin Vastu - dwelling, property; Shastra - science, teaching Seeks to create spaces and a designed environment that support physical and spiritual health an prosperity Based on directional alignments and the proper flow of energy or prana

Basic Concepts a. Prana Natural energy flowing around the earth Emanates from two sources: 1) Solar energy 2) Geomagnetic energy Its natural flow is determined by the sun's path, the rotation of the earth, the earth's magnetic field, and the human body The human body is considered a magnet with the head as the North Pole and the feet the South pole Correct site and building design should ensure the proper and natural flow of prana thus maintaining well-being b. Five Elements The proper integration and balance of the five elements ensures the natural flow of prana 1) Earth - A big magnet with North and South poles as centers of attractions 2) Water - Represented by rain, river, sea in the forms of liquid, solid (ice) and gas (steam, cloud). It forms part of every plant and animal. 3) Air - Life source. Human physical comfort values are dependent on correct humidity, air flow, temperature of air, air pressure, air composition and its content 4) Fire - Represents light and heat which account for day, night, the seasons, enthusiasm and passion. 5) Space - Considered the primary conductor of all energy sources: physical energies such as sound and light, social energies such as psychological and emotional, and cognitive energies such as intellect and intuition Principles a. Bhogadyam - the design must be useful b. Sukha Darsham - the design must be aesthetically pleasing c. Ramya - the design must evoke a feeling of well-being in the user Vastu Purusha Mandala Purusha - universal or cosmic man Mandala - symbolic diagram of the cosmos It is a fixed or standard plan of a building that incorporates the human body, compass directions, the Hindu gods and the areas over which they rule, and the stars and planets It is based on the idea that the human body is a microcosm of the cosmic man, the gods and the heavens
North East East Eesheya Religion, Luck Indra Sun

South East South West

Agni Yana Varna

Fire Death
Ancestors

North West Vayu

North Center

Winds

South West Niruthi

Kubera Wealth Brahma Creator

Water

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The Chakras of the Body The chakras correspond to body parts and parths of the building Crown
Forehead

Divine wisdom
Head and brain

Throat Heart
Root

Neck Heart and lungs

Sexual organs

Solar plexus Stomach, Kidneys, Liver, etc.

Base

Spine, skeletal system, legs

Some Rules Design and Construction Buildings should be constructed such that they are higher in the south-west and lower in the north-east Kitchens should be in the southeast Water tanks should be in the southwest Toilets should be in the northwest Stairways should be in the west or south Guest rooms should be in the north or west There should be only one main door and no doors above doors except in medium or high rise buildings Doors should not be opposite each other When placing doors in a wall, divide the wall into nine equal parts from left to right; the door should be placed in the 7th part Use only new wood during construction The Site Quadrangular, rectangular or square plot are beneficial Big plots fetches prosperity, but it should not have cracks Triangular shaped lots should not be selected A small narrow plot in between two big plots is not good The length of the plot should ideally be in the eastwest direction If there is more open vacant space in south than in north, it will lead to destruction. It is auspicious if there is more open space in the east than in the west; and more open space in the north than in the south All the heavy and permanent items should be placed in the southwest corner of the building or plot

Note: a. From http://www.facebook.com/album.php?page=3&aid=154423&id=704902018#/album.php? aid=154423&id=704902018&page=3 YAY KATRINA CASSANDRA TAN!:)) b. Uhh. May part two pa yan, gardens thingy. Tinamad na ko:))

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