SOHO China - Commune by the Great Wall was Named as a New Architectural Wonder of China

We are very pleased to announce that Commune by the Great Wall was named as a New Architectural Wonder of China in December 2005. As one of the world s most amazing buildings , the commune, remarked by the Business Week (December 23, 2005) story titled China s New Architectural Wonders , in its way, pushes the boundaries of the architectural status quo. Together with other nine architectural wonders, they represent the wonders rising on the skyline of the new China , continued the story.

Here is the lead of article. When global audiences tune in to watch the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, the world s fastest and strongest athletes won t be alone in striving for superlative achievements -- a new generation of innovative architecture is rising in China. Fueled by a surging economy (the latest Chinese census, released on Dec. 20, says the country s GDP is $1.93 trillion, or 16.8% higher than previously measured), China will soon be home to the world s largest airport, the world s first fully sustainable city, and the world s highest outdoor observation deck, to name just a few of its innovative architectural feats.

The following is an excerpt of the Business Week story:

10 Wonders of the New China

It s a hotbed of innovative architecture, from diaphanous theaters to buildings heated and cooled by water China s current building boom is doing more than sucking up the world s supply of steel -- it s creating a stage for some of today s boldest architecture and engineering. Take a tour of the 10 of the most intriguing examples.

The Commune, Beijing
First phase completed 2002, expansion scheduled for completion in 2006

Even if the Commune didn t sit beside that wonder of the ancient world, the Great Wall of China, it would still qualify as a wonder. The complex includes houses by 12 of Asia s leading architects. It was conceived by married real-estate developers Zhang Xin and Pan Shiyi, who gave each architect a $1 million budget. Shigeru Ban, the Japanese architect most famous for the paper houses he designed for refugees of the Kobe earthquake, designed the Furniture House, featuring the laminated plywood typically used for modular furniture, and China s Yung Ho Chang created the Split House, which takes the idea of a boxy dwelling, slices it in half, and spreads it out like a fan.

The Commune is now operated as a boutique hotel by the Germany luxury hotel group Kempinski, which is responsible for an upcoming expansion, which will feature 21 homes (including replications of the originals). One element will remain untouched in the new development: the Commune s private pedestrian trails, which trace untouched sections of the Great Wall.

Beijing International Airport, Beijing
Foster & Partners. Under construction, to be completed in late 2007

Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai
Kohn Pedersen Fox Architects. Under construction, completion scheduled for 2008

National Swimming Center, Beijing
PTW and Ove Arup. Under construction, completion scheduled for 2008

Central Chinese Television CCTV, Beijing
OMA/Ole Scheeren and Rem Koolhaas. Under construction, scheduled for completion in 2008

Linked Hybrid, Beijing
Steven Holl Architects; Li Hu, lead architect. Groundbreaking on December 28, 2005, scheduled for completion in 2008

Dongtan Eco City, Dongtan
Masterplan by Arup, for the Shanghai Industrial Investment Corp. In planning stages, first phase to be completed in 2010

Olympic Stadium, Beijing
Herzog & de Meuron. Under construction, to be completed in 2008

Donghai Bridge, Shanghai/Yangshan Island
China Zhongtie Major Bridge Engineering Group, Shanghai # 2 Engineering Co., Shanghai Urban Construction Group.Officially opened in December, 2005

National Grand Theater, Beijing
Paul Andreu and ADP. Under construction, to be completed in 2008