Research study · April 2026

Threshold typology

Thirteen readings of the threshold, drawn through space and the movement of a body.

Enfilade Threshold

01 / 13

Paintings in dialogue

How to read the drawing

: Heavy solid · material cut by the drawing plane
: Medium solid · visible architectural edges
: Fine solid · surface joints and secondary detail
: Fine dashed · elements removed to reveal the interior
: Chain line · the proposed bodily route
: Dotted line · a line of sight

Hidden edges are omitted; hatching marks cut material. Read metric dimensions from each graphic scale.

Position along the route0%

View angle43°

Spatial relation

Chinese study · primary-text readings

Thresholds in Chinese classical architecture

Steps, openings, corridors and courts, read through Wen Zhenheng’s Chang wu zhi, Ji Cheng’s Yuan ye and Liu Dunzhen’s Classical Gardens of Suzhou.

Drawings and sources

01
Yang, Yanzhi. Threshold Typology.
April 2026. Three-page working research document. T1–T5: p. 1; T6–T7 and S1–S3: p. 2; D1–D3: p. 3.
02
Yang, Yanzhi. Threefold Classification of Threshold.
January 2026 working classification, pp. 6–12. Its ten-category structure is retained; the current Chinese entries have been revised against the two primary texts.
03
Spatial interpretations for this website
Thirteen conceptual models and forty-nine Chinese spatial studies, drawn for this research with assigned metric dimensions and graphic scales.

Sources consulted for the individual drawings

Ji Cheng. Yuan ye. Vol. I: site selection, foundations, buildings and fittings; vol. II: balustrades; vol. III: doors and windows, walls and rock building. References use volume and chapter titles.

Yuan ye · vol. I · Yuan ye · vol. II · Yuan ye · vol. III

Wen Zhenheng. Chang wu zhi. Siku quanshu text. Vol. I: buildings, doors, steps, windows, bridges and courts; vol. II: flowers, trees and plant supports; vol. III: water and rocks.

Chang wu zhi · vol. I · Chang wu zhi · vol. II · Chang wu zhi · vol. III

Liu Dunzhen. Classical Gardens of Suzhou. Collected Works, vol. 8. Beijing: China Architecture & Building Press, 2007.

Scale figure: adapted from pitr’s public-domain photographic silhouette. Plan figure: redrawn from the supplied overhead reference. Figure height: 1.78 m. pitr · CC0

Bibliography recorded in the January document

梁思成。《中國建築史（通校本）》。北京：生活・讀書・新知三聯書店，2023。

劉敦楨。《中國古代建築史》。北京：中國建築工業出版社，2008。

賈珺，主編。《建築史》第 46 輯。北京：中國建築工業出版社，2021。

田永復。《中國古建築知識手冊》第 2 版。北京：中國建築工業出版社，2019。

Additional references consulted