Today I want to talk about the beauty of traditional Chinese architecture and design.
A very important feature in Chinese architecture is its emphasis on balance through the use of articulation and bilateral symmetry.

Articulation:对细节的追求
Bilateral symmetry: 建筑，空间上的对称性

In contrast to the buildings, the Chinese gardens tend to be asymmetrical. This is to create flow. The design of the classic Chinese garden is based on the ideology of "Nature and Man in One", so, the arrangement is as flexible as possible to let people feel they are surrounded by and in harmony with nature.

Asymmetrical: 不对称的
Create flow: 产生蜿蜒感
The ideology of "Nature and Man in One"：“天人合一”的理念
Be in harmony with nature：人与自然的和谐共处

Isn't this a wonderful concept, inside the home you are in your place co-existing with nature but separate from nature itself but once you step outside, you can feel the harmony with nature!

Be separate from nature: 和自然是有所分离的

Ancient Chinese architecture is mainly the use of wood, which we can say is timberwork.

Timberwork：木结构

They use wooden posts, beams, lintels and joists to make up the framework of a house.

Post 桩(垂直)
Beam 横梁(水平)
Lintel/lintel beam 横楣梁
Joist 托梁；搁栅
Framework: 框架

The special design of the framework means that they are very sturdy and can withstand earthquakes! This is an important fact that all Chinese should remember, 2500 year old designs can withstand earthquakes!

Sturdy: 结实，坚固的
Withstand earthquakes: 承受地震

And this means that the purpose of other walls are basically for the separation of rooms so they don't bear the weight of the whole house, which is unique to China.

Separate rooms: 将空间分割成屋子
Bear the weight of sth.: 承重，承受某物的重量

I believe there is a famous saying which goes, even if the walls collapse, Chinese houses will stay standing.

Collapse: 崩塌
Stay standing: 屹立不倒

Another important feature is the way the houses are protected. The wood needs to be treated, and the Chinese were very clever in painting the wood to not only protect it but turn it into its own architectural painting decoration.

Treat: 养护，维护
Turn it into architectural painting decoration 把木质结构变成一种建筑绘画装饰品

Colored glaze roofs, windows with exquisite designs and beautiful flower patterns on wooden pillars reflect the high level of the craftsmen's handicraft and their rich imagination.

Colored glaze roofs: 涂成各种色彩的琉璃屋顶
Windows with exquisite designs and beautiful flower patterns on wooden pillars: 设计繁复精美的窗子和木立柱上美丽的花朵图案
The craftsmen's handicraft and their rich imagination: 手工匠人们的技艺和丰富的想象力

Classical Chinese buildings, especially those of the wealthy, are built with an emphasis on breadth and less on height, featuring an enclosed heavy platform and a large roof that floats over this base. Notice how the vertical walls are not so emphasized. Buildings that were too high and large were considered unsightly, and therefore generally avoided.

With an emphasis on sth.: 将重点放在……
Enclosed: 封闭的，隔离的
Unsightly: 难看的，不美的

Chinese architecture stresses the visual impact of the width of the buildings, using scale to inspire wonder in visitors.

Stress: 突出，强调，highlight
Visual impact: 视觉冲击力
Inspire wonder: 引发惊叹、赞美，令人称奇叫绝

This unique style contrasts western architecture, which tends to grow in height and depth.

Contrast: 与…形成对照
Grow: 这里当然不是成长，而是指建造得高，背后的建筑目标是指向高度的上升和深度的延展。

Outside the houses are courtyards, a courtyard is like a hand scroll of painting, you know which should be unfolded little by little. The scenery is different in each courtyard. Even in moving several steps within the courtyard, you will be surprised at the subtle changes around. This means that the view from no two windows is the same.

A hand scroll of painting: 画卷
Unfold: 展开
Subtle: 精细，微妙的

Finally, let's not forget about the colour.

Since yellow is the symbol of the royal family, it is the main color of palaces. Roofs are built with yellow glazed tiles; decorations in the palace are painted yellow; even the bricks on the ground are made yellow.

Yellow glazed tiles: 金黄色琉璃瓦
Brick: 砖