How a Carpenter Constructs the Traditional Chinese Wooden Frame Construction

Wood has served as the primary building material in traditional Chinese architecture for centuries. The framework of a traditional Chinese house exemplifies harmony with nature, structural ingenuity, and time-tested techniques. Central to this system is wooden frame construction, a process where carpenters assemble a load-bearing skeleton using intricate mortise and tenon joints, without a single nail.

This article explains the step-by-step process of how ancient carpenters constructed the frame of a traditional Chinese house, from preparing the foundation to installing complex roof structures. It also highlights the craftsmanship behind the mortise and tenon system and the celebrated Dougong brackets.

Before the Carpenters’ Wooden Frame Constructions

Before raising the wooden frame, carpenters must ensure that the foundation is level and prepared to bear the house’s structural weight. A strong base guarantees the durability and symmetry of the frame above.

Build the Stone Base First

The process begins with laying a solid stone foundation. Builders often use locally sourced stone slabs or bricks to construct a slightly elevated platform. This platform protects the wooden frame from moisture and pests while stabilizing the overall structure. It also defines the modular grid pattern, usually a multiple of the standard jian (间), the unit of bay spacing in Chinese architecture.

The stone base is meticulously leveled to ensure accurate alignment of columns and beams. Drainage channels and ground preparation are essential steps in this early phase.

Position the Columns

Once the foundation is ready, carpenters move to the first vertical elements: the wooden columns. These posts will bear the weight of the roof and define the building’s spatial layout.

The ‘Fen Cao’ (分槽)

To position columns precisely, carpenters carve grooves known as Fen Cao into the stone base. These shallow slots indicate where each column should stand, helping maintain strict alignment and structural rhythm. The dimensions and spacing of Fen Cao follow the design principles of the building, ensuring each bay is properly set.

The ‘Jin Xiang Dou Di Cao’ (金箱斗底槽)

For high-status buildings or temples, craftsmen may install a more elaborate column base called Jin Xiang Dou Di Cao. This is a wooden base piece shaped like a treasure box, resting in a recessed socket on the stone platform. It serves both decorative and structural functions—distributing weight evenly and reducing the risk of splitting or sinking.

Chinese Wooden Frame Construction Building

After establishing the columns, carpenters start assembling the wooden frame construction, forming a skeletal structure that balances strength, flexibility, and symmetry.

A Truss Built with Wooden Columns and Beams

At this stage, the essential trusses come together. Each truss forms a cross-sectional framework of vertical columns and horizontal beams. The columns rise from the foundation, and beams span between them at multiple levels, forming a rigid structure.

Mortise and tenon joints connect each component, allowing the frame to flex under pressure, especially important in earthquake-prone regions. This truss structure defines not only the shape of the roof but also the building’s spatial zones.

Connect Trusses with Beams (枋)

With the trusses erected, carpenters connect them longitudinally using cross-beams known as fang (枋). These beams run parallel to the front facade and tie the structure together, adding lateral stability.

The spacing and hierarchy of these beams depend on the building’s function. Residential homes may have simpler connections, while palace halls or ancestral shrines employ multiple tiers of beams and purlins.

Typical Trusses

There are two dominant truss systems in traditional Chinese houses, each suited to different regions and social classes.

The Stacked-Beams Style (抬梁式屋架)

Known as Tai Liang Shi, this style features beams stacked in ascending levels. Each horizontal beam rests on a vertical column and supports the next beam above it. This configuration raises the ridge line, creating a majestic, open roof space.

The overlapping-beams style is common in northern China and used in ceremonial buildings. It enables wider spans and higher ceilings, ideal for temples and palaces.

The Fabric-Wood Style (穿斗式屋架)

Called Chuan Dou Shi, the fabric-wood style interlocks shorter beams between tall columns. These beams pass through holes in the columns rather than resting on top. This creates a grid-like frame that relies more on vertical support.

The style is prevalent in southern China, especially in residential architecture. It offers strong seismic performance and efficient use of materials.

The Art of Chinese Wooden Frame Construction

At the heart of traditional Chinese house construction lies the mortise and tenon system. This carpentry technique, developed thousands of years ago, allows two wooden pieces to connect without adhesives or nails.

Chinese Traditional Wooden Frame Construction Without Any Nails

Carpenters precisely shape each joint, cutting a tenon (a projecting tongue) on one beam and a matching mortise (a carved socket) on another. Once inserted, the pieces interlock tightly and remain stable under compression and tension.

This system gives wooden frame construction remarkable durability. A well-crafted joint can endure centuries of environmental change. In some ancient buildings, the wood remains firm and functional even after hundreds of years.

The reliance on interlocking wooden parts also allows components to be disassembled, replaced, or reused, aligning with traditional Chinese sustainability values.

Dougong – The Brackets System In Wooden Frame Construction

The most sophisticated application of the mortise and tenon technique is the Dougong system. Dougong are bracket sets consisting of blocks (dou) and arms (gong) that project from columns to support roof beams.

Dougong assemblies distribute roof loads evenly onto columns and allow the roof to extend far beyond the walls. They also introduce decorative rhythm and a sense of upward movement.

A typical Dougong unit includes multiple interlocking layers, expanding in complexity with the building’s rank. Imperial palaces like the Forbidden City display the highest level of Dougong refinement.

Conclusions

The construction of a traditional Chinese house is a masterclass in wooden frame construction, combining functionality, artistry, and philosophical principles. From laying the stone foundation to assembling trusses and installing Dougong brackets, carpenters rely on generational knowledge and precise craftsmanship.

Above all, the ingenious use of mortise and tenon joints reflects a respect for natural materials and structural harmony. This ancient system continues to inspire architects and conservationists today, preserving a legacy of wooden architecture unique to Chinese civilization.