Architecture – Created in China
‘Made in China’ – whether its consumer electronics, children’s toys, or high street fashion, these three words are familiar to almost everyone in the world. However, as the country experiences both rapid population growth and urbanisation, this ‘made in China’ approach is becoming increasingly apparent within architectural developments.
In fact, a recent article in the Asia Times expressed concern that ‘Western architects are still clearly held in higher esteem than their local counterparts’, criticising some architectural developments in China’s cities for a ‘reckless embrace of all things Western’.
Yet whilst the reality of these statements is subjective, the rise of the Chinese architect is clear, with modern, ambitious and locally designed buildings emerging across the country. Reactions to this change have been positive, with many viewing it as the beginning of a new cultural ethos where designs are not just made in China, but created there.
After rainstorms and flooding destroyed the primary school buildings in Maoping – a small mountain village in south-east China – Wang Lu, Lu Jiangsong, Huan Huaihai and Zheng Xiaodong set about designing a replacement. With an aim of creating a school which paid tribute to the history of the buildings that came before and the traditions of the local area, the design used locally-sourced materials in a building which in many ways is quite traditional, but also satisfies the modern demands of those using it. Its crisp, clean design, which makes innovative use of light, brings an undeniably contemporary edge to the building.
Chinese architects are also creating high-profile work in the country’s cities, with Digital Beijing by Studio Pei Zhu being one interesting example of this. Whilst the design appears incredibly modern, its architects call it a ‘reflection on Chinese philosophy’ inspired by the typical Chinese hutong. However, what is more visible in this piece is an almost machine-like building that symbolises the present and future ‘traditions’ of a technologically advanced city like Beijing, rather than the past traditions of the area.
These two buildings, despite their many differences, demonstrate the strong local talents present in China’s architectural industry. China is growing fast and becoming an increasingly global country, and for that reason, international architects will continue to design and build there. However, the creative balance appears to be changing, and with this change an age of architecture which truly has been ‘created in China’ will begin to emerge.
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