Mongolian Architecture
The Mongol Empire from the 10th - 12th century was full of "warring clans." Their ultimate goal involved conquest to expand their empire under Genghis Khan. After 175 years, they lost independence to the Manchus and were then taken over by the Chinese with the help of the Russians in 1911. The Mongol lifestyle was reflected in their architecture. The empire was short lived and dedicated to fighting, so their buildings were based on convenience. After the empire was taken over, Mongolia still remained very rural; in 1958, 78% of the population lived in rural areas, with homes such as the Yurt mainly used.
The Yurt: Among the Mongols, the Yurt was very popular. Essentially, a yurt was a portable home and was easy to take down and put up. The main goals of Mongolian architecture were simple construction, decoration, and easy transportation. The walls were made of felt with sharpened poles on the sides, attached by strings. A circle, placed at the top of two wooden pillars, supported the center of the roof. There were no windows, so light would only shine through the top. The inside was simple with some furniture and usually had a fireplace in the middle.
The Mongol Empire from the 10th - 12th century was full of "warring clans." Their ultimate goal involved conquest to expand their empire under Genghis Khan. After 175 years, they lost independence to the Manchus and were then taken over by the Chinese with the help of the Russians in 1911. The Mongol lifestyle was reflected in their architecture. The empire was short lived and dedicated to fighting, so their buildings were based on convenience. After the empire was taken over, Mongolia still remained very rural; in 1958, 78% of the population lived in rural areas, with homes such as the Yurt mainly used.
The Yurt: Among the Mongols, the Yurt was very popular. Essentially, a yurt was a portable home and was easy to take down and put up. The main goals of Mongolian architecture were simple construction, decoration, and easy transportation. The walls were made of felt with sharpened poles on the sides, attached by strings. A circle, placed at the top of two wooden pillars, supported the center of the roof. There were no windows, so light would only shine through the top. The inside was simple with some furniture and usually had a fireplace in the middle.
Chinese vs. Mongols
Mongol and Chinese architecture are clearly very different as the Chinese were very advanced and created detailed and complex architectural structures, whereas the Mongol's architecture was based on simplicity and convenience. By looking at the Chinese Pagoda shown on the Chinese Architecture page and the Mongol Yurt, however, they do have similarities. They both have a circular base with a pointed top. Additionally, they stand on their own and are not connected to any other structure or buildings. Looking at the origins, the Mongols were a short lived civilization of 175 years, with the main leader being Genghis Khan. On the other hand, China is an ancient civilization that has been under the control of many leaders of different ideals, and China continues to rapidly grow and prosper today. The beginnings of these civilizations have influenced the basic functionality of their architecture, but there are still design elements, such as the circular, freestanding pagoda and yurt, that overlap. In addition to the Mongols spreading design elements through their conquest, China had additional influence over Mongolian art when they took over the Mongol empire in 1911. The clash between the cultures and the exposure to different ways of thinking has definitely shown up in different building designs in both Mongolia and China throughout the years.
Works Cited
"Countries and Their Cultures." Culture of Mongolia. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2014. <http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Mongolia.html#ixzz3LQkRFCTp>."Voyage En Mongolie , Trek, Randonnée, Circuit, Séjour En Mongolie Avec Le Spécialiste De Voyage En Mongolie." Mongolian Architecture. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2014.