A Critical Review: Beijing's Architecture part I

As much as people would like to believe that Shanghai is China's seat of architecture glory, Beijing has its own share of architectural glory; it's status as the political center of China has forced investment in a city that deemed to be the showcase of the Chinese nation; its architecture reflected a form of rising standing as a modern power. Beijing is home to some of the most exciting architecture in the nation and I will showcase and analyze them:

Digital Building Beijing

The advent of the digital age has inspired this building which stands near the Olympic Green. Designed by new upcoming architecture firm Pei Zhu. One of the first buildings commissioned during the Olympic Games period in Beijing, this building housed the Olympic media crops. As the office for the Olympic media, this building is hugely significant that it exemplify the free spirit of the media and the importance that technology has on improving those media. For this, the Digital Building in Beijing has earned itself as one of the most technology and futuristic savvy buildings in Beijing.

The National Center for the Performing Arts

This architectural piece, designed by French Architect Paul Andreu exemplifies the post modernist architectural trend - it's clear free forming, almost yin-yang style composition symbolically captures not only the emotional, open context of dance to which it houses. This free formed structure is embedded in a pool of water which furthered the analogy of open movement; it added to spirit of freedom to which performing arts employ. As Bruce Lee claimed, "be water". The fact that the structure houses the performing arts demonstrated the need to improvise - therefore unwise to model the structure after any predefined parameters - because dancing is limitless. Paul Andreu's structure is epitomize the free spirit of dancing and the performing arts.

The CCTV headquarters

This structure was commissioned for the Chinese Central Television Network by Rem Koolhas and Old Scheeren of architectural firm OMA. Known as the Chinese Central Television Network Headquarters, this building's oddly asymmetrical composition appears to defy gravity - which defined this structure's design. Fittingly for housing the largest television network in China, this structure's protruding ceiling delivers the psychological effect of being bigger than its by capping the visitors vision as they approach the structure's facade. Also notable would be the cross hatching pattern shown on the surface of the building - they help distinguish itself even more fully by diverging from the configuration of placing glass panels parallel to to the ground; instead the glass panels were placed in a diamond configuration that enhances the engineering capabilities of the structure (see the Hearst Tower in New York City) This is an excellent of the forward nature of the Chinese capital; reflecting its rise as one of the architectural hubs of the world.

Architectural Analysis III: Innovative Designs I

Hey!!! Sorry for the long hiatus, but this is it:
I will try to update as much as possible in the future. Thanks for the patience!

Just two days ago I stumbled upon something interesting. Essentially, it exemplifies an aspect of ecological and sustainable design. There are houses made of shipping containers (the kind you find on huge trading ships). They are economical to build, because they are made of pre-existing shipping containers, which is much cheaper than constructing houses under traditional methods. These shipping containers can even be used in a modular fashion; stacked on top of each other like Lego bricks or across . This also reduces the labor required to complete the structure. This, incidentally is also very green to construct, since the storage containers are reused after the initial purpose has passed.

Here are my analysis and interpretation of different storage container houses:

Port-a-Bach

This innovative designed house is made in New Zealand's Atelier Workshop and sports one module storage container that is also a house that is tightly packed with a expandable bed (as displayed above) but also of course environmentally friendly.

Architectural Analysis II: Shanghai Expo 2010...Architecture! National Pavilions

Starting from May 1, 2010 til October 31, 2010, The world gets to view an amazing array of objects and inventions from many different countries around the world. But as an architecture fan, I am much more interested in some amazing futuristic designs and their cultural significance. Shanghai Expo 2010 is home of some great cultural buildings. Here are my five favorite pavilions which are not ranked:

The Russian Pavilion

Images are from the Official Shanghai 2010 Expo Website

First of all, I'd like to point out some interesting aspects about the Russian Pavilion. First of all, the color scheme is comparable to its Orthodox Church color scheme, a mixture of gold and a tone of gray or white. Being an Orthodox Christian nation makes Russia unique and this pavilion seems to capture this difference. That's one thing I like about this structure. My stressing of architecture is also art gets some support here as this building is covered with elaborate, intricate patterns that resonates well with the rest of the building. From the image quality however, it is hard to see the tiny color tiles that form the walls between the white and gold "towers". Those colors are reminiscent of Byzantine and Roman mosaics; another distinctive cultural element in this pavilion.

The German Pavilion

Images are from the Official Shanghai 2010 Expo Website

The German Pavilion is a striking example of post-modern/futuristic architecture. The clear finish of the building provides welcoming aesthetics and the style of the pavilion is partially symbolic of Germany's strong economic position in the world; a high modern and industrial nation with aspirations for the futuristic age. One of my favorite parts of the Pavilion is the front side, marked by the characteristic colors of the German flag along with soft gray, but visually appealing words. This building, despite its arbitrary shape, is very pleasant and visually stunning proves that simple themes are very effective, however only when used correctly.


The Brazilian Pavilion

Images are from the Shanghai Expo Official Website

And here, is the bold Brazilian Pavilion. I like this pavilion because first of all, this design is very daring; it is not as futuristic and industrial looking and has a very unique color: green. Generally countries wanted to display their new economic strength by emphasizing on buildings that are next generation. But Brazil apparently likes to embrace what makes Brazil unique. Brazil is a developing nation, and also a fast growing one. But also, Brazil is also know for its soccer, its vivid rainforest and other things. This pavilion is a standing representation of Brazil's rainforest; in addition to its national colors (yellow and green). It does look pleasing, with a visibly striking green color that I personally think that in contrast with other pavilions will help the Brazilian Pavilion stand out.

The British Pavilion (Seed Cathedral)

The British Pavilion is one of the most futuristic and neat pavilions shown at the upcoming Shanghai Expo 2010. The first time I set my eyes on this amazing structure, I was amazed because I thought the building was transparent; there was no visible windows, doors, etc. It was difficult to this visually confusing structure that looks like a facade. At first it looked like a small red supernova ready to unleash its power, but now I know that it is made out of many cylinders of specialized glass. This parallels another similar glass pavilion showcased in England many years ago called the Crystal Palace. I really like the abstract design and the incredible effect created by perhaps hundreds of glass cylinders circumscribing the the structure. Perhaps it is just my opinion, but the red cross like thing in the middle of this pavilion resembles the ones on the British Flag.

The Chinese Pavilion

Images are sources found over Google.

The iconic pavilion of the host country (and my native country) is an giant red Asian Modernist style that towers over most of the other pavilions at the Expo. This structure of symbolic of the kind of Modern Asian style buildings that I would like to design when I become an architect. Red is an important color for the Chinese. It represents luck, happiness, prosperity and to some extent, love and good marriage. I really like this pavilion because it inspires awe because of the monumental nature of the structure. Try imagining yourself approaching the entrance. The inverted pyramid form of the structure creates an "overshadowing " effect as people ascend the staircase into the pavilion. The effect is created by taking advantage of the size of the structure. The other aspect that I like about this pavilion is that the structure uses characteristic Asian style beams into the upper part of the pavilion. One can't see from the pictures that I posted, but the ends of each beam (the end that is facing the observers) are carved with traditional Chinese patterns, to further emphasize the role of traditional culture in the Chinese pavilion. This incorporation of traditional building elements reflects not only China's economic surge (hence the size and splendor) but also a country's traditional elements are intact in all levels of modern Chinese society even as China becomes a growing modern industrial power.

Architecture Analysis I: the Futuristic and the Traditional

There's this amazing skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates that rotates 180 degrees on each floor. This is neat because now there won't be anyone who would claim the best view on this amazing skyscraper. The name of the skyscraper is Dynamic Tower. The official website is this: www.dynamicarchitecture.net/

I think that this is amazing because it is very innovative and a excellent example of futuristic architecture. I think it is creative engineering, art and it serves as a nifty office building. I love the curves on the building; it represents free form expressionism found in many futuristic architecture.

My favorite styles of architecture are contemporary, fantasy world architecture (no not just castles), post-modern and futuristic. They all feature a wide variety of styles and freedom. I also enjoy the attempts to "modernize" classic Asian architecture; I want to design one someday. One of them can be found right here in Chapel Hill.

This is the Robert and Jane Residence located on 701 Kenmore Road:
It employs Japanese aesthetics in architecture. I think that this house is creative because it is a fusion of traditional Japanese architecture with Western housing features (such as chimneys). This house is designed by Jon Condoret.

Why I want to be an architect

Architecture is a wonderful form of art. Ever since I was six, I was fascinated with the variety and form of art and I took classes in drawing to feed that interest. I took drawing classes for about three years until I decided that I did not really feel that it was rewarding enough. I set aside my drawing classes until I took Drafting I as a freshman which renewed my interest in pursuing a career in a form of art. During that time, my ideal occupation was a I.T Specialist or a Computer Engineer/Programmer because I thought that it would be great to follow my father's footsteps.

Now, I felt that computer programming was very monotonous after writing a lot of Java code and it simply did not offer me enough creativity and art for a potential career. Now, as I take Drafting II Architectural, I started to feel architecture is my kind of subject. I feel the excitement of designing a building and then watching it emerge from a paper to reality. Architecture is the largest of all the arts. Being an architect, your work would be the biggest and most prominent thing out there. It's this amazing feeling of pride looking at the great building you designed. I wanted to experience that kind of thing. It looks to be a great career. Especially when buildings are the largest human made things on Earth, I've got something to brag and admire about in becoming an Architect. It's also, like I mentioned earlier a form of expression. I want to project my ideas on a greater scale. It's about architecture. It's about me.

My thoughts on architecture

I'd like to start with this quote:

"Ah, to build, to build! That is the noblest art of all the arts. Painting and sculpture are but images, are merely shadows cast by outward things on stone or canvas, having in themselves no separate existence. Architecture, existing in itself, and not in seeming a something it is not, surpasses them as substance shadow."

--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Think of our modern life. Can you imagine life without buildings, your houses? No, for humans, like any other organisms needed shelter to survive, to grow and develop from. While that may be obvious, the art of architecture is quite different. Frankly, anyone can build a one story shack without much thought put into it, but architecture is different. As Henry Wadsworth Longfellow asserts, architecture is an art. But it is more to it than just art and living; Architecture is engineering. How do skyscrapers withstand such height? It is a combination of science and design. To me, architecture is Art, Engineering and to an individual, a form of expression, like any other forms of art.

A note about me

Hello! I am currently a sophomore at East Chapel Hill High School. I really love architecture and drafting.