ABSTRACT
Since ancient Chinese architectural treaties cover only single buildings, research on the planning of building groups – an impressive feature of Chinese architecture – can only be made by observing real examples that are found today in Ming-Qing Beijing. This chapter studies the palaces and altars of Beijing of the Ming since 1420. Adopting a numerical and geometrical approach, it discovers a multi-scalar extension with a base module and rules with symbolic meanings, including the use of axes, grids, and numbers and ratios of nine and five. It reveals a meticulous design for building groups and urban ensembles in Chinese architecture.
