Beijing Architecture

Photos by Gu Wei

I’ll be honest with you: when it comes to writing about architecture in Beijing that represents the face of contemporary China, monumental constructions like the “Bird’s Nest” stadium with its strong political overtones are not within my scope. To me, the reality of contemporary architecture in Beijing can be found in the modest, decentralized spaces of this ancient and tranquil city. Strolling the city without plans, one can inadvertently encounter some wonderful architectural surprises.

Gu Wei’s Bio

Age: 34 years old

Short bio, occupation: I currently living in Beijing and working with Approach Architecture. I lived and worked in Paris for seven years. I like rice more than bread, cheese more than stinky tofu, Beijingers more than Parisians, and Paris’ weather more than Beijing’s cloudy skies. Also, I’m just another ordinary architect.

Length of time in Beijing: Born in Beijing, returned two years ago.

Beijing Architecture

Beijing Haidian Christian Church
39 West Street, Haidian
Designed by gmp Architekten
It is ironic to see religious architecture set in a luxurious district where every inch of land is worth gold, but this church is located in Zhongguancun, China’s “Silicon Valley” business district. The main three-story structure looks like a chrysalis with a tall clock-tower on the southeast side of the building. The design of the building focuses on the spiritual; ascending the steps of the building, one walks under the arms of a large cross entering the building in the second floor chapel. Inside, the staggered structural beams create ethereal lighting, lending the place an atmosphere of mysteriousness; outside, the white exterior emphasizes its original purpose as a church while the bold aesthetic differentiates it from the surrounding commercial constructions. She is like an oasis of spirituality standing tall in the midst of an ocean of capitalism.

Secret Garden Café and Backyard
248 Chengfu Lu, Haidian
Designed by owner
The Secret Garden Café was transformed from two factories into a cafe by the owner, himself an architect. The Chinese-style cafe portion and the contemporary Backyard use décor to differentiate the spaces and create two separate atmospheres. The Secret Garden Café has high ceilings and the use of exposed regional materials shows the true nature of the construction and conveys the feeling of a Chinese restaurant: red brick, cast iron, and resin epoxy on the concrete floor, with a facade constructed by cleverly staggering grey stonework and steel to create unique lighting. The Backyard’s street-facing facade is made out of a geometric construction of steel and glass, through which one can spy the wood-paneled walls of the interior. Entering the building through a swiveling panel, one experiences a variety of architectural spaces, each supporting the restaurant located in the basement. Between a bar and bookstore on the first floor and the balcony/rooftop, the spaces function in different ways but there is a constant visual dialogue.

59-1 Fuxing Road B
at Wanshou Road, Haidian
Designed by Li Xinggang
Located at the intersection of the most important road in Beijing and a lush greenspace, 59-1 Fuxing Road B is an extremely desirable residential location, renovated from an old office building. Based on the original construction, the architects created a metal mesh curtain wall framework. Carrying the curtain theme inside, the interior features four types of glass with different degrees of transparency, creating a glass curtain wall with a white crystal-like appearance. The building’s multi-angular shape, whiteness, and abnormal facade create quite a contrast compared to the surrounding old buildings left from the ’60s and the ’70s.

Hotel Kapok aka Blur Hotel
16 Donghuamen Street, Dongcheng
Designed by by Studio Pei Zhu
Hotel Kapok, formerly a government office, is a boutique hotel located east of the Palace Museum. During the design process, the architects strove to achieve an integration of traditional design and modern construction details. In order to accommodate the room arrangements and bring in natural light, two indoor courtyards with sunroofs were created. Additionally, the majority of the exterior surface was constructed using a new form of fiberglass created specifically for the project: fiberglass beams, with the texture and color of bamboo, cross one another to form a mesh wall. At the same time the latticework acts as an optical light filter and creates a “visual mirage,” earning the nickname of the Blur Hotel. From a distance, the building looks like a glowing Chinese paper lantern, an expression of the complexity and occasional mystery of Chinese tradition.

The New Sanlitun
Sanlitun Street and Gongti North Street, Chaoyang
Designed by the Oval Partnership
The New Sanlitun occupies more than 50,000 sq. meters of land. Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma, completed the overall planning with sub-plots entrusted to a global roster of architects including Shop Architecture and Sako Architects. In China this type of global project is a relatively recent phenomenon. However, these “global” projects have brought attention to the fact that no Chinese architects were invited to participate. Maybe it’s because these projects want to reflect a certain internationalism, but from another perspective, the separation compromises the principle of multi-nationalism. This is just a view from within the profession; you can still enjoy the fun of a visual feast. Each construction is vying for attention, like society people wearing stylish coats. Between the constructions, people can enjoy shopping, leisure, and cultural activities. Compared to the original boring street that served a singular purpose with a row of bars, this new development has stimulated the vitality of the area.

MIMA Cafe
Yuanmingyuan Park, Haidian
Designed by Wang Hui
Northeast of Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park, MIMA Cafe is located in a row of new constructions mixed in with ancient buildings. The exterior is wrapped in a mirrored facade made of stainless steel which reflects the surrounding environment. The structure includes a kitchen, a bathroom, and a 10-square-meter rooftop restaurant; the bathroom design is particularly brilliant, with a skylight ceiling admitting natural light through a rooftop goldfish pond. The bathroom floor is made of glass that is raised 10 cm higher than the outside floor, allowing the owner’s cat to crawl around beneath it. Design elements abound outside the bathroom as well: the cafe tabletops are mirrored, the bar is built with piles of old books, and a low coffee table with a steel grill surface allows grass to grow within it. The MIMA Cafe represents a pure and natural concept for Beijing living within a unique, relaxed design.

Tip from Joe and Shu

The Great Wall
A trek to the Great Wall is worth the day trip. Just avoid the Badaling section of the wall (the official stop for most flag-wielding tour groups). Mutianyu isn’t much further and offers more dramatic views, less congestion, and good restaurants in the surrounding area that serve fresh fish and organic vegetables. If you’re willing to spend three hours on the road, the Simatai section of the Wall is stunning and hosts far fewer visitors than Badaling or Mutianyu. But be warned: parts of this section of the wall are in advanced disrepair and are super steep. There are no medical facilities in the area (see http://www.shuandjoe.com and check the May 2006 archives for proof). Speak to your hotel about hiring a taxi for the day.