I.D. Magazine and Chinese Architecture

There's a great article on I.D. Magazine today about what's happening with architecture in China. Below are some images and specs of the projects featured in the article. To read more, go here.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this new architecture in China.

Guangzhou Opera House
—
Zaha Hadid Architects, London
Groundbreaking/completion: 2005/Late 2009
Size: 750,000 sq. ft.
Cost: $200 million
Other China projects: Innovation Tower in Hong Kong, part of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University expansion
Key challenge: Building a pitch-perfect auditorium next to a city subway

Shenzhen Stock Exchange Plaza
—
Office for Metropolitan Architecture, Rotterdam/Beijing/New York
Groundbreaking/completion: Late 2007/2010
Size: 2.2 million sq. ft., 820 ft. tall
Other China projects: CCTV in Beijing, Prada Epicenter in Shanghai
Special features: A three-story cantilevered podium and innovative use of pattern glass on a high-rise

Shanghai 2010 World Expo UK Pavilion
—
Heatherwick Studio, London
Groundbreaking/completion: January 2009/May 2010
Size: 3,400 sq. ft. inside, total envelope
(up to the end of the rods) is 8,400 sq. ft.
Cost: $20–25 million
Other China projects: Redevelopment of a million-square-foot shopping mall in Hong Kong
Materials: Steel, plywood, bamboo, and possibly Astroturf
Number of workers: 300–350
Lifespan: Six months

Changbaishan Public Activity Center
—
DnA, Beijing
Groundbreaking/completion: Late 2007/Late 2008
Size: Three buildings about 13,000 sq. ft. each
Cost: $2 million
Other China projects: Songzhuang Art Center in Beijing, Ink Painting Gallery in Ordos, Inner Mongolia
Materials: Steel and concrete structure with wood, stone, and glass
Key challenge: The northern climate permits construction only five months a year, and steel is still hard to find in the area
Star power: Known for her museum designs, Harvard-educated principal Xu Tiantian is one of few Chinese women leading an architectural practice

Fake Hills
—
MAD Studio, Beijing Groundbreaking/completion: 2008/2010
Size: 4.3 million sq. ft., 4,000 apartments
Cost: $136 million
Other China projects: Sinosteel Building in Tianjin
Star power: Principal Ma Yansong received a 2006 Young Architects award from the Architectural League of New York and is considered a leader of the Chinese vanguard. He recently showed up on Beijing television and bus shelters as the face of a popular Chinese brand of kitchenware.

Sliced Porosity Block
—
Steven Holl Architects, New York
Groundbreaking/completion: Late 2007/2010
Size: 3.3 million sq. ft.
Other China projects: Linked Hybrid in Beijing, Vanke Center in Shenzhen, Nanjing Museum
Holl-marks: Bridges, green features, angular geometry, and an emphasis on community

Images copyright I.D. Magazine

Comments

[Amy]

Is it just me, or does the third one down look like a tribble? Will building this spawn an outbreak of tribble buildings?

[jess]

all of it are so unique and weird..
i love it..

[Alexis Wakefield]

I think that the houses should be expensive. My grandmother was Martha Wakefield and she worked with Frank Lloyd Wright when designing her houses in Rush Creek Village. They are works of art and they deserve to have a large price tag after all they come with their own customized furniture and breath-taking views. I've seen so many homes being gutted out, the people who buy the homes rip out the built-in furniture and put in their own pieces from the stores, which is the total opposite of the point of owning these homes. As we know they are works of art and people now-a-days seem to want to put their own personal mark on the homes and that isn't the point of owning them. The point is to PRESERVE them and keep them in original condition, which does take lots of time and money. It was my grandma's dream to build a community of organic homes, but now that she is gone people don't seem to remember the whole point of having the privilege to own one, they just want to change them. To me it's like painting a mustache on the Mona Lisa, why would you buy one of these homes just to destroy the art? The prices are understandable considering there is only one of each house, they are unique and works of art. People should remember that if they are looking for one of these homes. I grew up in my grandma's masterpiece, The Pavilion, and it was wonderful with the beautiful landscape and architecture. I consider it a privilege to be able to live in one of these homes and it is also a great responsibility to keep the architecture beautiful.

[architectural specifications]

wow those are some great buildings made by some great intellectual minds.

[New York Hotel]

Nice projects, very beautiful pictures. There are amazing ideas for future Hotels. I would like to have some days in those magic architecture hotels:) Very interesting, when they supposed to be ready. Thanks for the post!