The Kinkaku-ji complex which translates to the “Temple of the Golden Pavilion” was originally an existing villa called Kitayama-dai owned by the powerful statesman, Saionji Kintsune. In 1397 Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu purchased the villa from the Saionji family. Having been constructed in the late 14th century, it was not designed by an architect as we would call them today. At this time those who were wealthy enough to hire others to build their buildings were essentially the architects as they were the ones who would instruct the builders how the building was to look and what materials were to be used. It is unknown who the builders of the Kinkaku-ji actually were.
The Kinkaku-ji Temple is
divided in both style and material use by the three levels that make up the
structure. Each level has its own unique use and purpose. The overall structure
of the building is wood columns and beams. The pyramid shaped roofs are
thatched with shingles and the top roof is topped with a bronze phoenix
ornament. The first level, which is called The Chamber of
Dharma Waters, is made up of unpainted wood and white plaster. The walls are
shorter to allow natural daylight and views out to the water (orientalarchitecture.com). The Wood and plaster look on the outside of
the first level allow the water and other natural elements to be the focus of
the lower level to provide a peaceful feeling. The second and third floor
exteriors are covered with pure gold leaf. Many think this is to reflect what
is on the insides of those levels. Much like the first floor is a rather plain
exterior to allow the natural experience to happen both on the interior and
exterior of the level, the second and third floors exterior are to show the
beauty on the outside of what is inside. The second floor is known as the Tower
of Sound Waves and is intended as a Buddha hall (orientalarchitecture.com). The
second floor gives off a feeling of impermanence with its slidding wood doors
and latticed windows. The shrine on the second floor is dedicated to the
goddess of mercy, Kannon.
The third floor is built in a more traditional Zen style and contains
around 25 Bodhisattvas (orientalarchitecture.com). The third floor is known as
the Cupola of the Ultimate.
As mentioned with the
extreme beauty of the second and third levels having the gold leaf and the
lower level being non exuberant color, the upper levels are able to complement
the nature that surrounds the building and is connected to the first floor
since the first floor is at ground level. 
The reflection pond that surrounds about a quarter of
the building makes the building look even more beautiful by reflecting the gold
upper levels and extending the beauty on to a horizontal plain as well as the
vertical plain that the building itself creates naturally. It is possible that
the beauty of the Kinkaku-ji is what kept the building standing through a civil
war and two world wars even though some of the surrounding buildings in the
complex. It is rather Ironic that the beauty of the Kinkaku-ji was able to keep
it standing for around 500 years and that the beauty is also what cause a
psychotic student monk, who hated everything beautiful convinced himself the
only solution to solve his problems was to burn the building down.
Although it is a shame to see a building that was able
to stand the test of time disappear, the replication of the exact building
actually became even more beautiful by the addition of more gold leafs to the
second third levels.
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