Yingzao fashi

The Yingzao fashi (Building Standards) is an illustrated manual on architecture compiled by the Song dynasty architect Li Jie, presented in 1100 CE. This comprehensive work covers various aspects of construction, including layout, carpentry, stonework, bracketing, decoration, materials, and labor.1

The Yingzao fashi became a standard text, disseminating advanced techniques of the time. While it codified practices, it may have also contributed to the conservatism of later architectural developments by limiting further innovation. Traditional Chinese architecture, primarily built of timber, is characterized by a post-and-lintel frame, bracket systems, and tiled roofs. Walls are non-load-bearing, allowing for flexibility in design. The Yingzao fashi standardized these elements, influencing architectural practices for centuries.12