Perspective Of Architectural Time Dimension

Architecture is a certain of three-dimensional physical space, but the factor of time play roles not only on the existence of architecture itself but also on the observation and experience on which people have. On one hand, as time goes on, function, space, form and meaning etc. and every other aspects of architecture have transformed continuously. On the other hand, people's observation and experience on the space of architecture are formed by the continuous movement and apperception of the perspective picture which is continuously transforming. It is the reflection of flowing-time of space. At this moment, people no longer satisfied with the architecture as a three-dimensional comprehension of the arts, but with the evolving of World view, it timely transformed to four-dimensional spatiotemporal arts.By discoursing upon the philosophy of time, we can preliminary understand the general characteristics of the time. From architectural phenomenon and architectural design we abstract the category of philosophy of architecture. Along the historical context, people's cognition on the essence of architecture emerged as four typical phases which are continuously developing and evolving: Ancient non- timeliness architecture, latter-day timeliness architecture, modern special architecture, post-modern four-dimensional spatiotemporal architecture.Architecture is a four-dimensional special art. Time is being everywhere in the architecture. It can not express itself, however, it can be expressed by the other things—the movement and transformation of function, space, time, and meaning and other essentials of architecture.With researching on the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall from the perspective of temporal dimension, the author perceived the material function of temporal dimension in architecture design, and exemplified the meaning and value of the research on temporal dimension of architecture.The practical significance of the temporal dimension of architecture lies in it that the method and achievement of the timeliness architecture thinking can not only exploit new thoughts on architectural design, but also can enlighten us new views on the preservation of modern architectural heritage and city rehabilitation. According to which, we can resolve the problems such as the preservation of historical buildings, the continuation of the context of city and the organic integration of historical tradition of architecture and modern design, consequently create better architectural spaces according with the demands of people.