The sophistication of ancient Chinese architecture gives it aspecialplace within the architecture of the world. There aremagnificentimperial palaces, solemn and breathtaking imperialtombs,mysterious sacrificial and ancestral altars and temples aswell asa variety of vernacular dwellings of natural simplicity.Religiousbuildings are dotted about the country, with a riotousprofusionof Buddhist, Taoist and Islamic temples or mosques. On topof allthis, city walls and fortifications, civic buildings formiscellaneouspurposes are rich in variety and form impressivelandmarks.The exceptional series offers wide coverage of themespertainingto all aspects of Chinese architecture and is unrivaledboth for itsextensiveness and accuracy as well as for thepresentation of thematerial.
早在1984年,陈明达先生曾评价道:“独乐寺两建筑,按现存古建筑年代排列,名居第七,但若论技术之精湛、艺术之品第,均应推为,可以说是现存古建筑中的上上品,*的范例。”为进一步阐释他的这一观点,约六年之后,陈先生于1990年完成了一篇重要的文稿《独乐寺观音阁、山门的大木制度》。在此文中,作者似乎完全进人到了古代建筑师的世界,不但解析着一个个技术方面的疑难,更通过技术问题的解析而还原到审美性的文化层面,遂追索出若干条中国建筑在结构力学、建筑美学等方面的独到建树。 在中国建筑历史研究史上,梁思成先生于1932年发表《蓟县独乐寺观音阁山门考》一文标志着中国建筑历史研究正式引进了西方科学性的“田野考察”方法;陈明达先生于1966年完成的《应县木塔))则初步证明中国木构建筑是有设计规律可循的,同时,这部书为建