Chinese Garden and Architecture Integration - Curved Roof

A large, heavy, and curved roof with deep overhanging eaves is one of the most prominent characteristics of Chinese traditional architecture. The broad eaves of the roof serve as a simple yet effective device for reducing the amount of strong Summer sunlight that penetrates the interior of the house. Extended eaves also serve to prevent the rain from blowing into the house when the pivoting doors are completely open during the rain season. Since the wooden structure of Chinese architecture is always prone to rotting, the broad eaves are also essential devices for protecting the wood structure from water damage.

The up-turned curved roof of traditional Chinese architecture gently sits against the bright backdrop of the sky with its sweeping curve silhouette, creating a graceful poetic atmosphere. A building could be fully opened with only the pillars supporting the roof making the hovering impression of the roof even more pronounced. However, the curved outline of the roof somehow resembles the contour of tree branches, reminiscent of the rhythm of nature. Thus, even though the roof is huge and heavy, it never seems to overpower the natural features in the Chinese garden. The curved roof of Chinese traditional architecture is a perfect example of the poetic form artistically derived from practical considerations.

The up-turned curved roof, a striking feature of Chinese architecture, is another successful means by which the house is closely integrated with the exterior world of nature.

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