Final answer:
In Chinese architecture, columns were the primary load-bearing elements, enabling larger open spaces within buildings, while walls mainly served as enclosures. The use of wooden structural elements and multiple stacked brackets was a key feature that distinguished these buildings from Western architecture with load-bearing walls.
Step-by-step explanation:
In traditional Chinese architecture, the primary load-bearing elements were the columns rather than the walls. This is reflected in the architecture of buildings like temples, where intricate wooden columns and brackets support the structure's roof, allowing the walls to be non-load-bearing. The wooden joints set in columns combined with multiple stacked brackets enabled larger open spaces within buildings, avoiding the limitations imposed by heavy lintels.
The walls in these structures mainly served as enclosures rather than supportive elements. This contrasts with some forms of ancient Western architecture, where load-bearing walls were necessary to support heavy stone roofs and vaulting. In the West, these walls were often massive and could only support small windows and doorways to preserve structural integrity.The Chinese system's ingenuity lies in its ability to use wooden structural elements to redistribute loads efficiently and elegantly, allowing for more elaborate and flexible architectural designs.