Computational Considerations of Historical Architectural Analysis – A Case Study of Chinese Traditional Architecture Shang-chia Chiou Department of Architecture Carnegie Mellon University M.S., Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A. M. Arch., Tunghai University, Taiwan, the Republic of China B. Arch., Tunghai University, Taiwan, the Republic of China Submitted to the Department of Architecture of Carnegie Mellon University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation Advisory Committee: Ramesh Krishnamurti, Ph.D. (Chair) Department of Architecture, CMU Ömer Akın, Ph.D. Department of Architecture, CMU Rudi Stouffs, Ph.D. Architecture and CAAD Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich Donald S. Sutton, Ph.D. Department of History, CMU copyright © 1996, Shang-chia Chiou Abstract This dissertation is about the fusion of key elements from computation and historical architecture. It builds upon ideas from shape grammars and employs the analytical methodology of historical analysis. This combination can help produce a different experience, through visual and ultimately interactive explorations, of historical architecture, particularly from those cultures where drawings were not the established mode of communicating designs. Grammatical analyses can be used to differentiate between various architectural styles; explore relationships between styles; and lend themselves to computational models. There are three parts to this dissertation. The first part is a case study of southern style Chinese vernacular architecture (the domain selected to demonstrate the claims of this dissertation) and deals with concepts from geomancy and its application to traditional architecture. The second part deals with the formal and computational considerations of historical architectural analysis. A shape grammar of vernacular dwellings is developed. This grammar is illustrated for five existing buildings. An extension to grammar for traditional temples is explored and developed. iv Abstract Lastly, an aspect of shape grammar implementation is tackled. A [programming] language for describing shapes is developed and its design implementation and use described. The main contributions of this dissertation are: •A new approach to historical architectural analysis, illustrated by way of Chinese traditional architecture. This approach is particularly applicable to designs which have not been documented in any formal way. •A shape description language, an interpreted programming language for the specification of shapes and rules augmented with non-geometric information. There are other implicit contributions of the dissertation to historic preservation; the design of contemporary Chinese architecture; and the teaching of architectural history. On the whole, this dissertation presents a new approach to the study of historical architecture, one that facilitates investigation from a number of distinct vantage points, integrated into systems of compositional rules for exploration and comparison, and amenable to computer implementation., for the primary purpose of visually and interactively exploring architectural styles. To my parents, parents-in-law, Miao-wan, Joseph & Matthew Acknowledgments I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my advisor and dissertation committee chairman, as well as mentor, Professor Dr. Krishnamurti for his invaluable instruction, and Mrs. Krishnamurti for their kindness, encouragements, and extra care about the welfare of myself and my family for past five years through my Master and Ph.D. study in CMU. It was not for Professor Krishnamurti’s encouragement, guidance, and advice this work would never have been possible. I would like to thank the members of my dissertation committee. Professor Sutton’s constructive suggestions and discussions on Chinese culture and traditional architecture; Professor Akin’s encouragement and helpful contributions on architectural issues; and viii Acknowledgments Professor Stouffs’s invaluable helps on computer programming, GRAIL kernel code, and discussions lead me to prepare this dissertation. Financially, I would like to thank Professors Robert Woodbury, Steven Fenves, and Ulrich Flemming. They supported me during my Ph.D. study and lead me to work on the SEED project. It is so helpful for me to learn about CAAD research from this project. Particularly, the instructions from Professors Woodbury and Fenves in SEED-Config are so helpful. On the other hand, I appreciate the supporting from EDRC (Engineering Design Research Center, an NSF research center in CMU) and its excellent working environment. I also wish to thank my former advisors, Professors Ko-li Chen and Wen- hsiung Hung in Taiwan. Professor Chen’s encouragements and helps on looking for resources, and Professor Hung’s constructive suggestions on traditional architecture are grateful. I thank all my friends and teachers for their encouragements, particularly Pastor and Ms. Joseph Cheng, Professor Dr. Gene T. Wang, Ms. Kathleen F. Hwang, Ms. Shu-chen Chen, Mr. Pai-hsing Hsiao, Mr. Don-yi Ou, Professor Dr. Hwa-shan Kwan, Professor Dr. Jyue- Huey Chen, Dr. Yi-Shin Deng, Ms. Hsiao-Chen You, Ms. Fang-Yi Chang, etc. I also thank my office-mates in EDRC, Ms. Sheng-Feng (Nik) Chien, Mr. Wen- Jaw (Jonah) Tsai, Mr. Mikako Harada, and Mr. James Snyder for their helps during my Ph.D. study. I am indebted to my parents for being constant source of inspiration during my education, and to my parents-in-law for their endless supports and encouragements. I also thank my younger brother, Ji-sou, for taking good care of our parents during I was away. I thank my wife, Miao-wan, and two kids, Joseph and Matthew, for being patient, understanding, and supportive during this difficult time. Finally, thank you, Lord. To God be glory. Table of Contents Abstract . iii Acknowledgments . vii Table of Contents . ix List of Figures . xv List of Tables . xix The Format of Chinese Transliteration . xxi Chapter 1 Motivation and Background . 1 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Background 5 1.2.1 Architectural History 5 1.2.2 Shape Grammars 9 1.2.3 Chinese Traditional Architecture 12 1.3 Organization of the Dissertation 17 x Table of Contents I Case Study . 19 Chapter 2 Geomancy and Chinese Traditional Architecture . 21 2.1 Geomancy and Orientation 22 2.1.1 Earthly Forms (Jiang-xi School) 23 2.1.2 Cosmology (Fu-jian School) 24 2.2 Modules 32 2.3 Axial Planning 37 2.4 Framework 41 2.5 Spatial Organization and Basic Design/Construction Process 44 2.5.1 Checking the site, and deciding upon the orientation and axes 44 2.5.2 Determining the measurements of the hall (central room) 45 2.5.3 Designing the main frames 45 2.5.4 Extending the hall to form a main building 52 2.5.5 Extending the main building group by adding a courtyard and/or secondary buildings to form an enclosure-courtyard 53 2.5.6 Extending the building groups 54 Chapter 3 Pre-Design Decisions in Chinese Traditional Architecture . 57 3.1 The Chinese Calendar 58 3.1.1 The Sexagesimal Cycle 59 3.1.2 The Meteorological Cycle 59 3.1.3 Resonance 60 3.1.4 Eight-Characters 64 3.2 Auspicious Orientation 68 3.3 Propitious Construction Date 72 3.3.1 Propitious date from a person’s month of birth 73 3.3.2 Propitious construction date based on aspect 75 Table of Contents xi 3.4 Measurements of the Central Spaces 76 3.4.1 Rulers 76 3.4.2 The Fortunate Dimensions 80 3.5 Lu-Ban: A Computer Implementation 88 3.5.1 Auspicious Orientation and Construction Date 89 3.5.2 Fortunate Dimensions 91 II Formal and Computational Considerations . 95 Chapter 4 The Grammar of Southern Style Chinese Vernacular Dwellings . 97 4.1 Vernacular Dwellings 98 4.2 Assumptions 101 4.3 The Grammar 103 Chapter 5 Examples of Vernacular Dwellings . 143 5.1 The Zhou Family House in Taipei 145 5.2 Dun-ben-tang (The Lin Family House in Nan-tou) 153 5.3 The Lin-an-tai Residence in Taipei 158 5.4 Zhai-xing Shan-zhuang in Taichung 164 5.5 The Lin Family Great House in Tainan 171 Chapter 6 From Vernacular Houses to Temples . 177 6.1 Temples 178 6.1.1 Popular Religion in Taiwan 179 6.1.2 Temple Architecture 182 6.2 A Temple Grammar 190 6.3 The Yin-shan-si Temple 199 Chapter 7 A Language for Describing Shapes . 207 7.1 Describing Shapes 207 7.2 Sorts, Individuals, and Forms 209 7.3 Algebraic Operations on Forms 210 xii Table of Contents 7.4 Sort Definition 211 7.4.1 Instances of Sort 212 7.4.2 Characteristic Individuals for Shapes 213 7.5 The Shape Description Language 216 7.5.1 Character Set 216 7.5.2 Primary Data Types 218 7.5.3 Type Definition 222 7.5.4 Identifiers, Declarations, and Bindings 222 7.5.5 Assignments 223 7.5.6 Sets of Data 224 7.5.7 Conditions, Defaults, and Current 226 7.5.8 Functions 228 7.6 A Tutorial on SDL 231 7.6.1 Getting Started 231 7.6.2 Exiting SDL 231 7.6.3 Input 232 7.6.4 Defining New Sorts 233 7.6.5 Creating Instance 235 7.6.6 Individuals 236 7.6.7 Manipulating Forms 237 7.6.8 Graphical Output and Display 241 7.7 SDL Examples from the Grammar of Chinese Vernacular Houses 243 III Conclusion . 249 Chapter 8 Contributions and Future Work . 251 8.1 Contributions 251 8.2 Future Work 255 Bibliography . 257 Glossary . 277 Table of Contents xiii IV Appendices . 285 Appendix 1: Chronology of Chinese Dynasties . 287 Appendix 2: Shape Description Language . 291 IBNF Grammar for SDL 291 I.1 Interpreter Basic 292 I.2 Type Definitions 292 I.3 Sort Definitions 293 I.4 Function Definitions 294 I.5 Statements 294 I.6 Instance Declarations 295 I.7 Expressions 295 II Built-in Functions of SDL 297 II.1 File I/O 297 II.2 Output and Purge 297 II.3 Numerical Functions 298 II.4 List and Tuple Functions 299 II.5 Default Functions 299 II.6 Individual Functions 299 II.7 Form Functions 300 II.8 Individual Modification Functions 302 II.9 Transformation Functions 302 II.10 Graphical Functions 302 II.11 Interactive Function 303 III Keywords in SDL 303 xiv Table of Contents List of Figures 1.1.