There has widespread debate on whether Xi's remarks calling for an end to "weird buildings" spell the end of an era of ambitious architectural design in China. Rem Koolhaas' CCTV building in Beijing is one of the city's most recognizable structures.
The end of ambitious Chinese architecture? —
There has widespread debate on whether Xi's remarks calling for an end to "weird buildings" spell the end of an era of ambitious architectural design in China. Rem Koolhaas' CCTV building in Beijing is one of the city's most recognizable structures.
Eric Gregory Powell
In his speech, Xi called for the end of ambitious architecture projects, such as the state-run TV network's headquarters, which has been nicknamed "The Big Pants" for its resemblance to trousers.
Chinese architecture: Spectacular, or weird? —
In his speech, Xi called for the end of ambitious architecture projects, such as the state-run TV network's headquarters, which has been nicknamed "The Big Pants" for its resemblance to trousers.
Ed Jones/ AFP/ Getty Images
Other examples of bold architecture include this teapot-shaped building in Wuxi.
The end of ambitious Chinese architecture? —
Other examples of bold architecture include this teapot-shaped building in Wuxi.
Courtesy Wanda Group
The People's Daily Headquarters in Beijing was also made fun of by citizens, while mid-construction. A doctored photo of the phallic building superimposed under the CCTV's "pants" went viral on the Internet before censors clamped down last year.
Chinese architecture: Spectacular, or weird? —
The People's Daily Headquarters in Beijing was also made fun of by citizens, while mid-construction. A doctored photo of the phallic building superimposed under the CCTV's "pants" went viral on the Internet before censors clamped down last year.
Mark Ralston/ AFP/ Getty Images
Planned for construction in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, the Phoenix Towers will be the tallest in the world at one kilometer high, if completed on schedule.
The end of ambitious Chinese architecture? —
Planned for construction in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, the Phoenix Towers will be the tallest in the world at one kilometer high, if completed on schedule.
courtesy Chetwoods Architects
Other memorable architectural designs already realized in China include the Guangzhou Circle, home to the Guangdong Plastic Exchange.
Chinese architecture: Spectacular, or weird? —
Other memorable architectural designs already realized in China include the Guangzhou Circle, home to the Guangdong Plastic Exchange.
Courtesy Joseph di Pasquale
The hole in the middle is almost fifty meters in diameter and is filled by gardens.
The end of ambitious Chinese architecture? —
The hole in the middle is almost fifty meters in diameter and is filled by gardens.
Courtesy Joseph di Pasquale
The Gate of the Orient in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, stands more than 300 meters tall and has been compared to a pair of long johns.
Chinese architecture: Spectacular, or weird? —
The Gate of the Orient in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, stands more than 300 meters tall and has been compared to a pair of long johns.
Admittedly, it did look quite spectacular in the artist renderings.
The end of ambitious Chinese architecture? —
Admittedly, it did look quite spectacular in the artist renderings.
RMJM
The Sunrise Kempinski Hotel on Beijing's Yanqi Lake is one of the most anticipated hotel projects in the Chinese capital.
Chinese architecture: Spectacular, or weird? —
The Sunrise Kempinski Hotel on Beijing's Yanqi Lake is one of the most anticipated hotel projects in the Chinese capital.
courtesy kempinski
The Wangjing SOHO project in Beijing was designed by Pritzker Prize laureate Zaha Hadid who took inspiration from Chinese fans. Critics however see the curvaceous towers as a bunch of pebbles thrown together.
The end of ambitious Chinese architecture? —
The Wangjing SOHO project in Beijing was designed by Pritzker Prize laureate Zaha Hadid who took inspiration from Chinese fans. Critics however see the curvaceous towers as a bunch of pebbles thrown together.
From wangjingsoho.sohochina.com
Another building from the imagination of Zaha Hadid and her team. The fifth hotel tower of Macau's sprawling City of Dreams complex is meant to evoke an abstract lucky number 8. It is a great example of Hadid's signature lack-of-corners architectural style.
Chinese architecture: Spectacular, or weird? —
Another building from the imagination of Zaha Hadid and her team. The fifth hotel tower of Macau's sprawling City of Dreams complex is meant to evoke an abstract lucky number 8. It is a great example of Hadid's signature lack-of-corners architectural style.
courtesy Melcro Crown entertainment
A horseshoe may be seen as lucky for some and comedic fodder for others. The $1.5 billion Sheraton in Huzhou, Zhejiang province is famed for its unusual design.
The end of ambitious Chinese architecture? —
A horseshoe may be seen as lucky for some and comedic fodder for others. The $1.5 billion Sheraton in Huzhou, Zhejiang province is famed for its unusual design.
courtesy sheraton
Opened in Guangzhou in 2013, Langham Place's exterior is designed to resemble unfolding wings in action, "evoking a sense of freedom and space," according to a hotel spokesperson. It also has the city's biggest ballroom.
Chinese architecture: Spectacular, or weird? —
Opened in Guangzhou in 2013, Langham Place's exterior is designed to resemble unfolding wings in action, "evoking a sense of freedom and space," according to a hotel spokesperson. It also has the city's biggest ballroom.
courtesy Langham Place