Learn how to draw a Pagoda, a many-tiered tower building found in India and East Asia. The shape is just about the opposite of most traditional buildings found in the western world.

A pagoda is a kind of tower with multiple eaves, most often found in eastern and southeastern Asia. Most are built for religious purposes, often as Buddhist temples that house religious papers and artifacts.

The modern design for a pagoda comes from the stupas of ancient Nepal built during the 3rd century BC. The influence spread across Asia, taking on many differences as details specific to different regions became a part of the overall design.

For students studying eastern culture, or for those that just want to try some different architecture for a change, a pagoda is certainly a fun project to try out. All those curves and details on the eaves make for great drawing practice, and the finished look is so different from the buildings most students are used to drawing. It’s proof that a roof needn’t always be straight and perpendicular. Curvy and scalloped are possible too!