House Architecture | Facts About China Architecture and Chinese Buildings Art

China's distinctive architecture makes up an important part of China's splendid civilization. Together with Western and Muslim architecture, the three styles comprise the world's major architectural systems.

In the Paleolithic Age, Chinese ancestors lived on fishery and hunting, and were sheltered in trees and caves. In the Neolithic Age, Chinese ancestors engaged in raising animals and farming, and settled down by digging caves and by building simple houses with twigs and lumber, thus commencing their architectural activities.During the 3,000 years of the feudalist society, Chinese ancient architecture formulated gradually its unique system, coupled with a considerable progress in urban planning, garden designing, and house construction technique. In 221 B.C., the First Emperor of the Qin Empire mobilized the resources of the country to do construction works on a massive scale, including A' Fang Palace, the Emperor's Mausoleum, the Great Wall and the Dujiangyan Water-Conservancy Project. In the Later dynasties, many more massive construction works of lasting fame were carried out.

China's wood frameworks are unique in the world. They reflect the values, aesthetic and ethical standard of the Chinese people. Chinese architecture is rooted in cultural tradition and features several characteristics. It highlights absolute imperial power and strict social status. The best examples of this can be found in the palaces and forbidden cities. Chinese architecture also stresses overall beauty and its axial layout pattern is widely used in buildings. The Chinese style also incorporates elements of nature and emphasizes a graceful, reserved and easy-going beauty. Apart from the Han ethnic group, architecture in the ethnic minorities is also diversified and distinct.

Chinese architecture can be categorized into imperial palaces, religious temples, ancient gardens, tombs group and ordinary ethnic residences.

The online website of the China travel agency - China Fact Tours has fruitful information regarding facts about China and China Architecture [http://www.chinafacttours.com/facts/a], as well as a great deal of practical China travel information and travel resources be of help before you plan a trip to China!

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House Architecture | Historical Architecture and the NRHP

Polo, Illinois is a small city of about 2,500 in Ogle County, a county whose largest settlement has less than 10,000 people. The rural communities in Ogle County are astounding and filled with history, art and architecture, if you know where to look. Armed with a list of sites in Polo from the National Register of Historic Places, I started looking at the Polo Public Library - a building that is one of five in Polo that share that status.

The Polo Library is a Carnegie Library that was constructed in 1903-04. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. The librarians were friendly, giving me contact information for Polo citizens affiliated with historic preservation, and, most importantly, providing me with directions to an elusive lime kiln nearby. The woman I spoke with chased me down in the cold of January several blocks from the library because she had given me the wrong email address by mistake. Very kind.

Also in Polo is a cluster of architecturally important houses, all near each other, and all listed on the National Register, two of them the work of Joseph Lyman Silsbee (wiki) one of which reminds me of the important, earlier Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Winslow House.

Silsbee was an influential and very important American architect. He served as an early mentor to Frank Lloyd Wright and was very influential on the young architect and other architects of the Prairie School. While the house is pretty obviously Classically influenced, some of the trademarks of Prairie style that Frank Lloyd Wright would later make famous are clearly visible, including leaded art glass and a low pitched roof. The building was constructed from 1899-1901 and added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1993.

Behind the Bryant and Lucie Barber House is another Silsbee work, this one older. The 1891 Henry D. Barber House is more Classically obvious than its neighbor but still not what I would call a high-style example of Classical Revival. It's an important work by an important architect, one that can be compared and contrasted with his other work, next door, from eight years later. The Henry Barber House was listed on the NRHP in 1974.

The other house listed on the National Register in Polo is across Mason Street from the two Silsbee works. It's an ornate Queen Anne style mansion known as the John McGrath House. The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA) hasn't made the NRHP nomination forms available online (despite their assurance to me that they were available) for any of the listed buildings in Polo so I don't know much about the McGrath House. I submitted a request to the National Park Service, and the IHPA but haven't heard back from either of them.

What I do know about the McGrath House is that it was designed by someone named George W. McBride. Unfortunately, the only George W. McBride I know of served as a United States Senator from Oregon. Though the senator was alive in 1896 when the house was built, he was not an architect and had no affiliation with Illinois anywhere I can find. I can only conclude that it is someone different. The McGrath House was listed on the NRHP in 1996.

Online Resources

*Buffalo Township Public Library: Illinois Historic Preservation Agency Property Information Report

*Joseph Lyman Silsbee: Biographies:

*Bryant and Lucie Barber House: Illinois Historic Preservation Agency Property Information Report

*Bryant and Lucie Barber House: NRHP

*Henry D. Barber House: Illinois Historic Preservation Agency Property Information Report

*John McGrath House: Illinois Historic Preservation Agency Property Information Report

*John McGrath House: NRHP

There are three non-residential sites in Polo listed on the National Register.

Article written by Andy McMurray a freelance writer and photographer based in DeKalb, Illinois. He has worked at DeKalb's Daily Chronicle, The Midweek, and the Northern Illinois University newspaper, the Northern Star. Known variously around the Internet as Dr. Gonzo or IvoShandor, Andy's wide ranging interests and knowledge in history, architecture, historic preservation, art and science have allowed McMurray to excel in penning both fiction and non-fiction pieces. In addition to pursuing a fiction career Andy has written and photographed extensively for English Wikipedia. http://www.AndyMcMurray.com

Article edited for EzineArticles and submitted by Bart Richardson, aka The Insatiable Insomniac who rants about what he fancy's. View some of his strange and entertaining ideas at http://www.FunWithInsomnia.com That is all.

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House Architecture | Architectural Characteristics of Style Houses

Spanish style homes are a sub-style of the Mediterranean design philosophy. In this article, we'll present an overview of Spanish style houses for UK buyers who are seeking to purchase an authentic example of this rich and complex architecture.

What Is The Mediterranean Style?

First, let's look at some background about the Mediterranean region. Because of its location linking Europe, Asia and Africa, the Mediterranean region is home to an amazing diversity of peoples and cultures. Add to that the Moorish occupation of Spain for hundreds of years and the result is an eclectic architectural style that dominates Spanish style homes. The robust trade, migration patterns and even warfare and conquest have all contributed to the rich and varied history and culture of the Mediterranean region. The design of houses in Spain reflects the country's "melting pot" heritage.

Typical Features of Mediterranean Homes

What has come to be termed "Mediterranean architecture" has its roots in a melange of lifestyle, culture, historical building styles, climate and topography (surface features) of the region. The Spanish style house always seeks to exploit location and views, especially sea views. You'll see Spanish houses tucked away on rocky hillsides that tower above the sea or are proudly situated on glorious white sand beaches. Roof terraces are common, again to take advantage of the view.

More Mediterranean Architecture Features

Since sites for Spanish style homes are often hilly, rocky and uneven, the architecture tends toward low-slung and boxy designs with flat roofs. Windows are situated to take maximum advantage of both the view and the whole house seems to just blend into its surroundings. A typical Spanish style house has thick walls faced with white or light colored stucco to help keep the interior cool. Classical Roman features like columns and porticos firmly anchor the Spanish style home in a vibrant historical context. Red clay tile roofs are typical and there are usually no overhanging eaves. Arches are integral design features and often appear above windows, doors, entryways and porches.

Mediterranean Architecture Brings the Outdoors Inside

Spanish house styles tend to be asymmetrical in shape with multiple wings. Hip roofs are common. Details like carved doors and carved stonework, spiral columns and tiled walls and floors are also highly characteristic of Mediterranean architecture. Courtyards are prevalent and often function as outdoor rooms, making for easy transitions between outdoor and indoor spaces. Fountains and water features grace the courtyards, providing a refreshing counterpoint to the arid climate. Wrought iron ornamentation is typical. Spanish style houses give an overall impression of oneness with their surroundings.

Spanish style homes continue to be popular with residents of the UK who own holiday homes there. These homes are authentic buildings that reflect the best of Mediterranean architecture, culture and character.

Morris Simpson is an independent real estate property advisor and writer in Spain. His interest in real estate is a passion and his technical expertise stems from both his education and experience. He is a real estate professional with Spanish property shop online - a specialized website for buying and selling villas, apartments, homes and houses in Spain. Spanish property shop online also offers you the finest opportunity in finding the most luxurious and affordable Spanish style houses

Spanish Property Shop Online provides you with the most comprehensive selection of Spanish Property available, which is designed to make the job of finding your property in Spain a much easier and less stressful event. Spanish Property Online Shop also specializes in bringing you the best deals available in Spain. You will find a delightful collection of apartments, villas, country cottages (in fact all types of property) in coastal and rural settings. Feel free to get in touch with us at http://www.spanishpropertyshoponline.com/houses-in-spain

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