CRI听力:The Changing Face of Beijing Architecture

In its post-Olympics period, Beijing has shown remarkable continuing growth and development. If people thought that the city's CCTV headquarters or the space egg were weird buildings… well they were just the beginning. Beijing has become the landing pad for strange new buildings, the likes of which have never been seen before in this city.

Just inside of the east second ring road, strange curvaceous terraces of concrete are slowly forming into four huge globular alien shapes. Even in their unfinished state, they look as if they may have just dropped in from Jupiter's orbit. This is GALAXY SOHO, one of Beijing's newest installments of the Soho franchise, an office and retail building like no other.

It's designed by internationally acclaimed Zaha Hadid Architects. According to Time Magazine, Zaha Hadid is one of the planet's most influential people, recognized for her buildings that defy convention.

Her Galaxy Soho design has flowing round buildings that stretch out for each other, forming passageways and bridges. Clearly, there is something otherworldly in the design of Galaxy Soho, but architectural director of the project, Satoshi Ohashi explains that outer space wasn't the only inspiration.

"The whole project is a series of these layers of the city and of terracing to create a landscape within the city, an urban landscape which was inspired by the natural landscape."

The building's horizontal planes are like terraced rice paddies, and also the space held within each building module represents the spaces in traditional Chinese courtyards.
 
Local resident Wei Zhun Ling appreciates the building's esthetics.

"In Beijing there's nothing else like it. It's better than the Bird's Nest. It's better than the CCTV Building, because that one doesn't feel safe. It might fall down. This one: look. It's very safe. Even in a big earth quake it should be okay. Safe and beautiful."

Outside of the downtown core Galaxy Soho's sister project is steadily taking form. Also designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, this project echoes mountainous landscapes, reminiscent of the peaks of Guilin. Three rounded white office and retail towers reach up steeply toward the sky. The tallest one will dominate the horizon at 200 metres.

Size is an important aspect of this project. A quarter of a million people live in Wangjing district, but it still lacks a central focus and a clear identity. Wangjing Soho will be a singular landmark between the Beijing airport and downtown helping to foster a central identity for the area.

Architectural director Ohashi explains:

"Some buildings are plugged in to the city, and others have to nurture that part. And I think in that sense the wangjing project is going to develop that area and hopefully raise the standard of living or the living work environment in that area."

Just west of Chaoyang Park another building has been catching the eyes of dog walkers, joggers and local residents. This one is a twisted metal doughnut of a glass-covered frame. Two buildings are housed inside of it, one of them a full ten stories high. 

The oddly curvaceous Phoenix International Media Center will have publicly viewable broadcasting and production studios, a restaurant and a cafe. Winding ramps and escalators will bridge the spaces.

Even in its unfinished state, its unique design has drawn many positive comments from the public.
 
Jiang Yan works in the building next door as a receptionist.

"I think that at least it's different from other buildings besides it. It's unconventional. It can be said to be a landmark building."

Hong Kong's Phoenix Media chose the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design to create the new centre. Built entirely by Chinese designers and engineers, it sets the stage for other Chinese designers to excel. Chief architect Shao Weiping comments.

"Our project is special. It is a window to the public and the world [showing] that local Chinese architects and engineers are able to use their own designs and technology to do a modern architectural project."

Does everybody appreciate these new buildings? Well, not everyone. Gador Luque is a Beijing resident from Spain. Her opinion about the city's new architecture isn't positive.

"Beijing doesn't need more landmarks. Because it's already quite…punished by the landmarks."

Well like them or not, Phoenix Media Center and Galaxy Soho will open next year. Wangjing Soho will open in 2014.

For CRI, I'm William Wang.