中国古建筑结构特点（古代建筑的特征）
木构架建筑从来都是中国古代建筑的主体，由于木头的易朽，现存建筑实例最早不过唐代，正好是中国建筑成熟时期，当然从唐以后留下来的建筑实物就越来越多了。
Wooden framed buildings have always been the main body of ancient Chinese architecture. Due to the perishability of wood, the earliest existing architectural examples were in the Tang Dynasty, which coincided with the mature period of Chinese architecture. Of course, more and more architectural objects have been left behind since the Tang Dynasty.
唐代以前的建筑，只能从考古发掘出来的一些建筑遗址，以及绘画、雕刻等艺术品中去寻幽探古了。但是，这并不妨碍我们大致归纳一下中国古代建筑的几大特征：
Buildings before the Tang Dynasty can only be explored from some archaeological sites, paintings, sculptures and other works of art. However, this does not prevent us from summarizing the major features of ancient Chinese architecture:
一、木材在任何时候都是主要建筑材料。因为是主要材料，所以，它决定了中国古代建筑独特的木结构形式，结构好比骨架，其体制、实际功能、建筑形体，相应的建筑风格都由此派生。
1. Wood is the main building material at any time. Because it is the main material, it determines the unique wooden structure form of ancient Chinese architecture. The structure is like a skeleton, and its system, actual function, architectural form and corresponding architectural style are derived from it.
二、构架制原则始终不变。构架以纵横为经纬，但横竖一体，如，以立柱和纵横梁枋组合而成各种形式的梁架，建筑物上部的荷载，与大地连为一体的基础，均是经由梁架的立柱支撑及传导完成。
2. The principle of framework system remains unchanged. The frame takes vertical and horizontal as longitude and latitude, but it is integrated horizontally and vertically. For example, various forms of beam frames are formed by combining columns and vertical and horizontal beams.
三、斗拱结构形式。斗拱是东方人在建筑上的一种发明，其实用性和美学价值不可低估，它是用纵横相叠的短木和斗形方木相叠而成的向外挑悬的结构。最初，它是立柱和横梁间的过渡构件，逐渐发展成为上下层柱网之间或柱网和屋顶梁架之间的整体构造部分，它是木结构构造最精巧和美观的形式。
3. The form of bucket arch structure. Dougong is an oriental invention in architecture. Its practicality and aesthetic value cannot be underestimated. It is a overhanging structure made of overlapping short logs and bucket shaped square logs. At first, it was a transition member between columns and beams...It was the most exquisite and beautiful form of wood structure.
四、单体建筑标准化。
中国古代的宫殿、寺庙、住宅等，均是由若干单体建筑结合配置成组群。单体建筑都是由阶基、屋身、屋顶三部分组成：下面是由砖石砌筑的阶基，承托着整座房屋；立在阶基上的是屋身，木制柱额作为骨架，间以门窗隔扇透气；屋顶的屋面一般都是柔和雅致的曲线，覆以青灰瓦或琉璃瓦。整个屋顶就像一个轻巧而美丽的冠冕。
4.In ancient China, palaces, temples, residences, etc. were grouped by a number of single buildings. The single building is composed of three parts: the step foundation, the house body and the roof. Below is the step foundation made of bricks and stones, which supports the whole house.
单体建筑的平面通常都是长方形，但在具体的因势利导的建筑中，也可灵活地取方形、八角、圆形等；这种灵活精神更是构成绝无重复的园林的一个法门。
The plane of a single building is usually rectangular, but in specific buildings that are guided by circumstances, square, octagonal, circular, etc. can be flexibly selected; This kind of flexible spirit is a method to form a garden without duplication.
但中国的传统还有另一个特点，那就是变通，所以，虽由长方形组合，也能得到诸多的形式，类推开来，建筑的各部位，乃至用料、构件尺寸、彩画也都有自己的标准与定型，但又在实践中有一定变通—一方面要遵循礼制，另一方面又很讲人情，建筑的不死板对应于人的性格上则是灵活与圆滑。
However, there is another characteristic of Chinese tradition, that is, flexibility. Therefore, although rectangles can be combined, many forms can be obtained, and categories can be pushed aside. All parts of the building, even the materials, component sizes, and color paintings have their own standards and stereotypes.
五、讲求建筑组群的平面布局。
在一个建筑组群中，到处都是木头，因此，平面布局上是多层次的，又因为层次多，所以必求尽量均衡对称。但因为这是一个礼法的国度，所以，长幼尊卑，高下主从，都是有固定的秩序的。
In a building group, there are wood everywhere, so the plane layout is multi-level, and because there are many levels, we must try to be balanced and symmetrical. However, because this is a country of etiquette and law, there is a fixed order for seniority, seniority, inferiority, and subordination.
比如，一组建筑中的主要建筑物通常就是主要人物的主要活动场所，东西厢房则从形体、装饰、配属上都要略低一格。一个建筑组群至少有一个庭院，大的建筑组群可由几个或几十个庭院组成，而一个大规模的建筑组群则必须要建立中轴线，组合形式均根据中轴线发展，组合一多，层次也就丰富起来，但要看见整个组群的格局就有点不易了，这同样也是含蓄的表现。
For example, the main buildings in a group of buildings are usually the main activity places of the main characters, while the east and west wing rooms are slightly lower in shape, decoration and accessories...The combination forms are developed according to the central axis, and more combinations will enrich the level, but it is not easy to see the pattern of the entire group, which is also implicit.
六、空间布局十分灵活。进入到中国建筑的室内，可以很明显地感觉到那些极具魅力的隔扇、门、罩、屏等附属设施，它们分割着整个空间，同时这些东西又都不是死的，而是可以随时改变位置的，它在安装前就已想到了拆卸，似乎房间就该用来不断地重新划分空间。至于建筑组群的室外空间─庭院或是园林，那则是另一个生长出无数灵感与传统神情的地方。
6、 The space layout is very flexible. Entering the interior of Chinese architecture, you can clearly feel the charming auxiliary facilities such as partition, door, cover and screen, which divide the whole space. At the same time, these things are not dead, but can change their positions at any time.
七、运用色彩装饰。一般而言，这指的是建筑油饰或彩画，也许因为木结构建筑的易坏，比如会裂口或是生虫，古人很早就知道了使用油漆来保持木头的硬度与防腐，顺便也就通过各种心中的色彩来描画梁柱框架，美化兼实用，所谓蓬壁生辉。
7、 Use color decoration. Generally speaking, this refers to architectural oil decoration or color painting. Maybe because of the perishability of wooden structures, such as cracks or insects, the ancients knew long ago that paint was used to maintain the hardness and corrosion resistance of wood...
