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Architecture at the Beijing Olympics

This article looks into the design and development of Beijing's architecture for the Olympic Games and where the inspiration came from to create such stylish and innovative designs.

With theOlympics being held in Beijingthis year Westerners have seen a fierce change of architecture.

Newadditions to the skyline include a new air terminal by Norman Foster, Herzog& de Meurons National Stadium aka the birds nest, PTWs National Aquatics Center with a translucentexterior, Paul Andreus egg-shaped National Theater and Rem Koolhaas CCTVheadquarters with its interconnected slanting forms.

Each ofthese new buildings intensifies and embodies the struggle Beijing has over further public space buthave achieved what they initially set out to create which was to give shape andsubstance to the nations identity.

A goodexample of this is Norman Fosters airport terminal which is the largest in theworld and is one of the purest creations.The form which is similar to two boomerangs placed side by side has beencompared to that of a dragon. Itsoriginal architectural concept and design was inspired by that of the Tempelhof Airportin Berlin in 1930 which was established as thegateway to new Europe. The terminal building exudes the glamour offlying with sweeping shapes and a stylish interior. Foster has taken the original design andcreated an idea of mobility and travel to the next level. On entering theterminal you are guided by embedded lights in the ceiling and encouraged to theramped floors and led over bridges to the elevated platform. From there you have the option for youronward travel with all roads, trains, subways and canals meeting in one centralplace creating a travel hub into the city.

Beijing has been completely transformed forthe Olympic Games 2008 since it was awarded it in 2001. Like some cities undergoing regeneration thedrive from the new airport terminal towards the centre was surrounded by uglynew towers which is a real shame for architecture and the city as most were ofpoor construction quality and only widened the gap been the rich and the poor.

With Great Britainhaving been awarded the 2012 Olympic Games what architectural wonders will wesee, what cutting edge design from which established architects? Watch to see how the skyline changes with newbuildings rising.

Beijinghave created designs to aspire to.

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