Week 7- Ancient Asia and The Americas

 INT- History of interiors Blog 

By: Nicol Valeria Torres Villamil 

Week 7 – Ancient Asia and The Americas

This week we studied the architecture, interiors, and furnishings from ancient Asian civilizations (China, India, Cambodia) and the ancient civilizations of The Americas (Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and Inca).

Each of these cultures created incredible works of art and architecture that reflected their beliefs, values, and relationship with nature. Though located in different parts of the world, all shared one goal — to connect the physical and spiritual worlds through design.

Historical Period: China, India, and Cambodia

In China, the architecture evidently depicted the concepts of order, harmony, and balance. The Forbidden City located in Beijing is a milestone of imperial design with its layout in perfect symmetry, generous courtyards, and the combination of red and gold as the emblems of power and prosperity.

In India, the gods were worshipped through the temple buildings that were supposed to be a support for the spiritual path leading to enlightenment. The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple in Khajuraho depicts the intricacy of Hindu architecture by its putting up of deities, animals, and dancers that are in the main thing celebration of both the human and the divine life.

In the case of the Khmer Empire of Cambodia, it was the construction of Angkor Wat, one of the largest and most impressive religious monuments ever, that was their claim to fame. The temple, created with perfect symmetry and elaborate carvings, was meant to depict Mount Meru, the abode of the gods, thus bridging the two realms of heaven and earth.

Historical Images

The Forbidden City, China

A monumental palace complex symbolizing harmony, balance, and imperial authority.

Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, India

Richly carved temple representing divine energy and the spiritual ascent toward heaven.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

An architectural masterpiece combining symmetry, religion, and cosmic symbolism.

Chichen Itza, Maya Civilization

The pyramid of Kukulkan aligns with the sun during the equinox, reflecting astronomical precision.

Machu Picchu, Inca Civilization

Built high in the Andes, showing perfect integration of architecture and nature.

Historical Influence: The Americas

In The Americas, civilizations used architecture to express religion, astronomy, and political power.

The Maya built massive cities like Chichen Itza, where the temples aligned with the movements of the stars.

The Aztecs built Tenochtitlan, centered around the Templo Mayor, to honor their gods and represent the sacred mountain of creation.

Meanwhile, the Incas built Machu Picchu, an extraordinary site that demonstrates precise stonework and an understanding of natural landscapes. Their interiors were simple but spiritual, filled with sunlight and views of the surrounding mountains.

Current Application Images

Modern Asian-Inspired Home

Uses natural materials and open courtyards that reflect harmony and balance.

Contemporary Temple Design

Combines traditional Indian forms with modern geometry and light-focused design.

Wall Art Inspired by Khmer Carvings

Shows how ancient Cambodian motifs influence modern interior decoration.

Eco-Friendly Home in the Andes

Built into the hillside, inspired by Incan terrace construction and respect for the land.

Public Building with Mayan-Inspired Geometry

Features stepped designs and stone textures reminiscent of ancient Mesoamerican temples.

One Step Further – The Builders of Angkor Wat

It is still a mystery who exactly designed Angkor Wat, however, their work has not stopped inspiring people. The master builders took to using sacred geometry, astronomy, and detailed carving, and such heavenly events as the equinox became the time of their temple's alignment. The design itself is a representation of the cosmos, the towers stood for the mountains, the courtyards indicated the continents, and the moat around it was the ocean of the universe. This combination of art, science, and religion makes Angkor Wat one of the most outstanding accomplishments in human history.

 

Reflection

The past week has been a great teacher in terms of understanding how architecture unveils the character of a civilization.

The ostentatiousness of the Chinese palaces, the spiritually charged carvings of the Indian temples, and the accuracy of the Mayan and Inca constructions, all pointed towards a common desire of mankind to commune.

My imagination was particularly caught by the fact that these ancient peoples built with both faith and intelligence, creating a perfect blend of engineering and artistry.

Their creations enlighten us to the fact that design is more than just a process of erecting buildings it is a manifestation of religion, a portrait of identity, and our interaction with both the natural world and the heavenly.