Week Seven - The Americas/China, India, and Cambodia

The Americas, China, India, and Cambodia

Summary:

This week's topic focuses on the architecture, interiors, and furniture of the Americas, China, India, and Cambodia. Each region developed its own design styles based on its culture, religion, and available materials. In the Americas, civilizations such as the Olmecs, Maya, Aztecs, and Incas built temples, cities, and homes. The Incas were especially skilled at stone cutting, which can be seen at Machu Picchu. In China, architecture focused on timber construction, symmetry, and courtyard-style homes. China also developed the pagoda, which combined the Buddhist stupa with traditional Chinese tower design. In India, stupas were important religious structures that held sacred Buddhist relics. These examples show how architecture reflected the beliefs, traditions, and daily lives of different cultures.

Designs & Current Applications:

One example that stood out to me was Machu Picchu in Peru. Built by the Incas in the Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu shows their skill in stone construction. The Incas carefully cut and fitted stones together to create strong buildings. They also used trapezoidal doorways, which are wider at the bottom than the top. I find it interesting how the buildings fit into the surrounding mountains. Today, architects still use natural materials and design buildings that work with the landscape.

Machu Picchu — Peru — Inca stone architecture

 

Another example is Teotihuacan in Mexico. This was an important ceremonial center with large pyramids and organized spaces. The city used an axial plan, meaning its main buildings and spaces were arranged along a central line. This helped organize the city and connect important areas. Today, architects still use axes and organized layouts when designing cities, campuses, and public spaces.

Teotihuacan — Mexico — ceremonial center and axial plan

 

Cahokia, located near present-day Collinsville, Illinois, is another interesting example. Cahokia was an important pre-Columbian Native American settlement known for its large earthen mounds. It was a major center for the Mississippian culture. I find it interesting that such an important historical settlement is located so close to where I live. Today, architects and landscape designers still use landforms and open spaces to create gathering places for communities.

Cahokia Mounds — Illinois

 

China also developed unique architectural styles. One example is the Liuhe Pagoda, built in China during the 12th century. The pagoda developed by combining the Buddhist stupa, which originated in India, with traditional Chinese tower construction. Chinese architecture also emphasized timber framing, symmetry, and courtyard-style homes. Courtyards helped organize spaces and connect indoor and outdoor areas. These ideas are still used in modern architecture through natural materials, balanced layouts, and open courtyards.

Liuhe Pagoda — China

Traditional Chinese courtyard house

Chinese furniture was also an important part of design history. Common pieces included yoke-back chairs, folding chairs, beds, and kang tables. Materials included huali wood, lacquer, ceramic, and bamboo. Chinese furniture was designed to be lightweight, stable, and beautiful. Ming-style furniture became especially influential because of its simple forms and craftsmanship. Today, modern furniture still uses natural materials, clean lines, and simple designs inspired by traditional Chinese furniture.

Traditional Chinese yoke-back chair

Modern furniture inspired by Ming-style design

 

India's architecture was strongly influenced by religion. One important example is the Great Stupa at Sanchi, which was built to house sacred Buddhist relics. Stupas were important places of religious significance. Indian interiors were also different from many Western interiors because people often sat, ate, and slept on the floor instead of using furniture. Today, some modern Indian interiors continue to use floor cushions, low seating, and natural materials.

Great Stupa at Sanchi — India

Modern Indian interior with floor cushions and low seating

 

One Step Further:

The design that interested me most was Machu Picchu and the architecture of the Inca civilization. Machu Picchu is located high in the Andes Mountains of Peru. The Incas were skilled at cutting stone and fitting pieces together to build strong structures. Their use of trapezoidal doorways is one of the most recognizable features of their architecture. I find it interesting how they built around the natural landscape instead of changing it completely. Machu Picchu shows how architecture can reflect a culture's skills, knowledge, and environment.

 

 

Conclusion:

Overall, I learned that architecture and interior design developed differently across the Americas, China, India, and Cambodia because of their cultures, religions, and available materials. The Americas showed advanced stone construction and organized cities. China focused on timber framing, symmetry, courtyards, and furniture craftsmanship. India used stupas to reflect Buddhist beliefs, and its interiors often relied less on furniture. I found it interesting that many of these ideas are still used today, including natural materials, open courtyards, and simple furniture designs. This week showed me how architecture reflects the people, beliefs, and traditions of each culture.