The open-minded philosophy of Chinese architecture
In June 1999, during the 40th anniversary of the completion of the Great Hall of the People, the 20th Congress of World Architects themed "Architecture of the 21st Century" was held in the hall. This was the last congress held by the International Union of Architects in the 20th century, but also the first grand international event on architecture held in China. The congress adopted the Beijing Charter written by Wu Liangyong, marking the moment that architects at the turn of the century began to rationally think about and look ahead to the new century while reviewing and reflecting on the achievements in the development of modern architecture in the past century. The Beijing Charter says, "A conscious reconsideration of the role of 21st century architecture calls for our enthusiasm, strength and courage."
In the early 21st century, with China's accession to the World Trade Organization, Beijing's successful bid for the 2008 Olympic Games, Shanghai's successful bid for the 2010 World Expo, the staging of the 2012 Guangzhou Asian Games and China's rapid economic growth, China became the focus of the world and a stage and arena for architects from around the globe.
Many transnational companies brought about an upsurge of investment in China, and many overseas architects began to participate in various design projects in China and frequently won bids for major landmark buildings. According to incomplete statistics in The Global Impact: Overseas Architectural Design in China, from 2000 to 2007, nearly 200 works were created by architects from Europe, the US, Canada, Japan and other countries, including the CCTV headquarters, Terminal 3 of the Capital Airport, the main venue of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Bird's Nest, the National Aquatics Center Water Cube and the Shanghai Grand Theater. This greatly impacted China's architecture circles.
About the book
Chinese Architecture Written by Cai Yanxin Published by China Intercontinental Press, Beijing, 2018
In June 1999, during the 40th anniversary of the completion of the Great Hall of the People, the 20th Congress of World Architects themed "Architecture of the 21st Century" was held in the hall. This was the last congress held by the International Union of Architects in the 20th century, but also the first grand international event on architecture held in China. The congress adopted the Beijing Charter written by Wu Liangyong, marking the moment that architects at the turn of the century began to rationally think about and look ahead to the new century while reviewing and reflecting on the achievements in the development of modern architecture in the past century. The Beijing Charter says, "A conscious reconsideration of the role of 21st century architecture calls for our enthusiasm, strength and courage."
In the early 21st century, with China's accession to the World Trade Organization, Beijing's successful bid for the 2008 Olympic Games, Shanghai's successful bid for the 2010 World Expo, the staging of the 2012 Guangzhou Asian Games and China's rapid economic growth, China became the focus of the world and a stage and arena for architects from around the globe.
Many transnational companies brought about an upsurge of investment in China, and many overseas architects began to participate in various design projects in China and frequently won bids for major landmark buildings. According to incomplete statistics in The Global Impact: Overseas Architectural Design in China, from 2000 to 2007, nearly 200 works were created by architects from Europe, the US, Canada, Japan and other countries, including the CCTV headquarters, Terminal 3 of the Capital Airport, the main venue of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Bird's Nest, the National Aquatics Center Water Cube and the Shanghai Grand Theater. This greatly impacted China's architecture circles.
About the book
Chinese Architecture Written by Cai Yanxin Published by China Intercontinental Press, Beijing, 2018
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