The zaojing (Chinese: 藻井; pinyin: zǎojǐng) is an ancient Chinese construction system for dome-shaped ceilings that combines small reciprocally interlocking timber components. Zaojing is found in temples, pagodas, palaces, colleges, and theatres – typically directly above a religious statue, throne, podium, or opera stage. These structures are placed above live performance spaces to enhance sound diffusion while creating a compelling visual setting. In spite of their uniqueness and historical interest, very little literature about the zaojing is known to exist, and what does, is not comprehensive.
The talk will showcase recent field investigations and first-hand account in rural China, shedding new light on these remarkable structures.
Jingxian YE studied political science and architecture at Fudan University and Tongji University in China. After her bachelor's study, she continued her master's in architecture at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich (ETHZ), and subsequently travelled to Germany to conduct archival research on the work of architect Heinz Bienefeld.
Jingxian is currently a PhD candidate in the Structural Xploration Lab at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) and her work is focused on sustainable construction. Jingxian has also lectured at the Architecture Department Hong Kong University Shanghai Study Center, and in 2018, Jingxian YE became a member of the ICOMOS International Wood Committee (IIWC).
About the Technical Studies Lecture Series
The Technical Studies Open lecture program (part of University of Westminster’s School of Architecture and Cities) is an open lecture series, where architects, engineers, writers, social theorists and artists are invited to take part in a discussion about the social use and function of technology in the context of design.
For further details please visit the Technical Studies website, which also contains details of previous lectures in the series.
For more details contact Will McLean – [email protected].
