Abstract
This paper describes the abundant erotic sculptures that adorn and embellish the twenty surviving temples of Khajuraho, which have fascinated scholars. In particular, the paper investigates the purpose for these voluminous, yet extremely refined and well sculpted, displays of the various Mithuna and more conspicuously the Maithuna couples, which are present not only on the outer walls of the complicated temple structures but also inside the temple space itself. The paper dismisses the notion of this erotic imagery simply being a public display of a private act but rather hypothesizes that the sculptures were used as part of the temples' architecture because they represent certain religious and cultural beliefs and practices, thus enhancing the worship of the respective deities.

From the Paper
"In the case of Khajuraho the temples were commissioned by the Chandela kings as well as falling under royal patronage. The courtly spaces were becoming increasingly as sacred as the temple space itself. Thus the Brahmin class had to be constantly appeased and in such a bid was granted vast areas of land as dana. After the coming of castes into the societies, the kings had to keep the Brahmins happy as they were the only connection between them and the Gods in an inverted sense. To establish their divine genealogy they needed somebody to affirm their status. "

Tags:mithuna tantrism physicality homeopathic, apotropaic device

Abstract
The paper discusses the nature and development of the Great Wall of China under different cultures and dynasties. The paper describes the construction of the Great Wall and looks at how the advancement of technology affected how it was built. The paper then focuses on the architecture and philosophy of design of American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.

Outline:
Introduction
How Did a Particular Style, Technology, or Building Type Move From One Culture to the Next?
History and Figures
Construction and Purpose of the Wall
Great Wall Architecture
Needs of the Client/Frank Lloyd Wright
Theory and Practice

From the Paper
"The parts of the Great Wall that are visible above ground, which include sections in Jiayuguan, to Shanhaiguan, as well as Badaling, Gubeikou and Mutianyu were all constructed during the Ming Dynasty. The Great Wall also includes sections from the Qin Dynasty and Han Dynasty, which are mostly fragmented parts of the wall since their construction took place over two thousand years ago (Pingfang 260). The Qin Great Wall was begun with Qin Shihuan around 221 BCE. The wall was built in correlation to the emperor dictating to Meng Tian to 'lead 300,000 troops against the Xiongnu in the north, to re-take Heteo and build a long wall" (Pingfang 260). Qin succeeded in unifying the empire and the Great Wall was a catalyst in this event."

Tags:building, design, brick, granite, Guggenheim, museum, landscape

Abstract
This paper discusses the building materials in Japanese architecture, including the use of wood and the Metabolists. The paper explains how the Japanese cultural expression is found in its architecture and choice of materials.

From the Paper
"Japan is an ancient society with a unique culture and history and a distinctly Japanese architectural style. In general, architectural styles and specifically the building materials used in a country region or a culture's man made structures reflect available materials. In Italy and ancient Greece, for example, the presence of vast caches of marble and limestone led to the development of temples, civic structures and private residences made of these substances. In Japan, wood was used extensively in the..."

Tags:architecture, Japan, castles, Metabolists

From the Paper
"The Temple of the Sun at Konarak in India's Orissa state is considered the high point of the tradition of Hindu temple building that began in the late eighth century. Shortly after the Konarak temple was built in the mid-thirteenth century the Mughal invasions put a premature end to this architectural tradition. The Konarak temple was a monumental representation of the chariot of the Sun God. It featured twelve pairs of wheels on its side walls and the figure of the god standing at the front of the building driving his horses. Almost every square inch of the temple's outer walls is covered with carvings that range widely from abstract designs to animals, human beings, and gods and vary in size from a few inches to many feet." One of the most striking aspects of the sculptural program of this particular temple is the enormous number of erotic sculptural..."

Tags:INDIA

Abstract
This essay will explore the design of a typical Shinto shrine. We will approach the shrine like a visitor would, moving from general first impressions, then moving along the entrance to the shrine, and finally concluding at the religious center of the shrine.

Abstract
This essay will argue that a key point of disagreement, and eventual harmonization, in this "conversation" revolved around the role of nature in the architecture of Japanese temples. While earlier Shinto models reflected a Japanese aesthetic of harmonization with nature, the Buddhist temple architecture imported directly from the Asian mainland emphasized a more abstract and monumental disregard for the natural environment. Through an analysis of the similarities and the differences of Japanese Shinto shrine and Buddhist temple design, this essay will outline the parameters of this conversation between native and foreign forms in Japanese architecture.

Abstract
This paper looks at both the physical and the cultural history of the wall, demonstrating how it has meant different things to different dynasties of Chinese lives, not only reflecting what it is that the Chinese believe themselves to be but also shaping what it is that they have become.

From the paper:

?The Great Wall remains a powerful symbol of China's national tradition and historical continuity. And yet it is important to understand that it is in many ways the product of an historical myth ? like Washington?s wooden teeth. It is probably true that all people tell stories about themselves as a way of creating a sense of both national identity and national pride and there is nothing wrong with this ? so long as we recognize the fact that we are dealing with myth and not with history.?

Tags:Ming, dynasty, nomadic, emperor, annexation, Meng, T'ien, Ch'in, Yen, Chao

Abstract
This paper discusses the concept of green architecture which simply means building in a way that is in harmony to nature, as opposed to being superimposed on it. This research demonstrates through example how green architecture in Japan is a direct result of traditional elements found in Japanese religion and culture. The paper provides examples of different "green" architects and some of their works.

Table of Contents

Defining Green Architecture
An Overview of Japanese Philosophy
Building Material for Green Architecture
Environmental Psychology
Blending the Old with the New
Conclusion
Bibliography

From the Paper
"Man has been building structures since shortly after they began to emerge from caves and to explore areas outside his immediate vicinity. Many animals build structures, such as birds and beaver. Many of these structures are functional and serve only to offer protection from predators and the elements, and so it was with the first structures built by man. They were made from the limited building materials locally available and the emphasis was on functionality, little, if any thought was given to artistic form."

Tags:building, structures, harmony, nature, oriental, shinto, feng, shui, environmental, psychology

From the Paper
"The architecture of the forbidden City in Beijing reflects the worldview of the Chinese, a philosophy that is expressed in the way the buildings are arranged and designed, a philosophy that also reflects the function for which the buildings are intended. This style of architecture has been emulated both in China and in structures outside of China that have been built in Chinese communities.


Beijing, once called Peking in the West, served as the capital of China for six dynasties over six centuries, and the capital has been modified and maintained continuously over that time. The city is made up of the northern Inner City and the southern Outer City, and the city as a whole is made up of numerous smaller walled-in courtyards. Against this background a core of structures stands out more meaningfully in the orderly..."

Abstract
This paper examines the history behind the Great Wall of China and how the original construction of the wall was essentially nothing more than bricks, wood, grass and packed earth and how its simple structure changed very little over the next many centuries. It also discusses how
more than 2000 years after its construction, the Great Wall is still seen by the Chinese as not only an everlasting testament of the industriousness of its people, but also an overwhelming and almost mystical symbol.

From the Paper
"The Great Wall played a large part in all of the early dynasties of China, but its origin can be traced back to 221 B.C. After the western state of Qin subjugated and united seven states that had been at war since the 5th century, subsequently forming China, the ruler of Qin declared himself the first Emperor of China (Dalin 15). He gave himself the name Qin She Huangdi, which, conveniently enough, means 'First Emperor' in Chinese. One of Qin's first orders once in power was for all peasants, prisoners, and anyone else available to begin construction of a massive wall ("The Great Wall of China", screen 1). What would become the Great Wall was, in actuality, several very small already-standing fortification walls connected (Dalin 15). These smaller walls had been built by past dynasties, with the same reasons in mind as those that would years later prompt the erecting of the Great Wall."

Tags:dynasties, wonders, world, qin