Nijo Castle, Kyoto, Japan 1624-1626

·         Asymmetric

·         Scattered

·         Nature

Forbidden City, Beijing, China 1407-1421

·         Linear

·         Symmetric

·         Outer defense

Sϋleymanie Complex, Istanbul, Turkey

• Coulea: complex including mosque, mausoleum, school, grave
• The mosque is central but the other utilities where for public use
•  Cafés
•  Axiality
•  Designer Mimar Sinan, buried to the north just outside the complex
• Almost a square interior space, the central dome is supported by enormous porphyry monoliths and arches on the north and south.
• The colonnaded galleries hide the projections of the buttresses incorporated into the wall
• Subtle decoration, tiles, woodwork, ivory and pearl.

Plaza Mayor, City of Tenochtitlán Mexico 1325

•  Aztecs
•  Chinampas: plots of silt similar to rice patties but more solid
•  Late Postclassic period of Mesoamerica
• Dedicated to Huitzilopochtli god of war and Tlaloc god of rain and agriculture
• Built on the spot where Huitzilopochtil gave the Mezica pople his sign they had reached the promised land. Eagle on a cactus with a snake in its mouth.
•  4000 square meters surrounded by a wall called the “coatepantili” (serpent wall)

Maidan-i-shah (Naqsh-e Jahan) square, Isfahan, Iran 1629.

• The city was the new capital of the Persian Empire, more strategic for defense from attack and power over the Persian Gulf.
• Designer Shaykh Bahai
• Created a centralized power with Shah Abbas as the leader
• The square held shops, entertainment, business, festivals and exchanges.
• Free food and water for visiters

Maidan-i-shah square, Isfahan, Iran

Vs.

Forbidden City, Beijing, China 1407-1421

Nijo Castle, Kyoto, Japan 1624-1626

Vs.

Forbidden City, Beijing, China 1407-1421

The Forbidden City and Nijo Castle used methods of design that sociologically and mentally directs visitors to a state of mind that is conducive to submissiveness and devotion to the ruler

Sϋleymanie Complex, Istanbul, Turkey

 Vs.

Plaza Mayor, City of Tenochtitlán Mexico