China cannot be a laboratory for "eyesore" designs

The well-known architect Peng Peigen, a professor of Tsinghua University, said: "The designs for Huaxi Urban Nature Project are pretentious, with no respect for regional characteristics. No matter whether it was an implementation plan or an experiment, it would mislead public opinion on architecture. "

In his opinion, the basic rule for any architectural design is "form follows function". However, in the last 10 years, many foreign architects have designed buildings for China in pursuit only of visual shock, giving preference to such so-called "art" ahead of science and philosophy.

In addition, some foreign architects use China as an experimental site for designs which would not be authorized in their own country, or designs which violate the principles of international sustainable development, basic structure, and safety norms.

"Some foreign architects design 'special' architecture for China, in order to express their individual 'artistic muse' and build monuments to themselves, which is contrary to professional ethics. We do oppose this kind of behavior," said Peng. "But I am not opposed to bringing good foreign architects to design in China. What I want to emphasize is that China should not become a laboratory for foreign architects with ulterior motives, or a source of cash in exchange for pretentious designs."

Official: Guiyang not to build CBD

Aside from opposition to the exaggerated designs, some architectural professionals doubt whether it is worth building a CBD in Huaxi.

It is estimated that the design costs for foreign architectural firms are at least 20,000 to 40,000 US dollars each. In addition, generally speaking, as the core of a city, a CBD should serve different functions, like finance, trade, services and exhibitions, with convenient transportation and communication.

However, Huaxi is 17 kilometers from Guiyang, the capital city of Guizhou, one of the least developed provinces in China. It is obvious that Huaxi is not the right place to build a CBD.

To this, vice head of Huaxi District, Luo Songhua, responded, "Actually, I have never heard about any such thing. Although experts are preparing a new town plan for Huaxi, at present Guiyang has no project for a CBD."

Director of Huaxi Planning Bureau Xiong Xinping told China Youth Daily that the Huaxi project has nothing to do with government. The developer is Homnicen Group, one of the biggest real estate companies in Guizhou. According to a bureau employee, the whole thing is probably some kind of self-promotion by Homnicen Group.

Interviewed by China Youth Daily, a Ms Chen from MAD Ltd. explained that the designs released by the company were a kind of experiment rather than an implementation plan. Furthermore, the concept of Huaxi CBD was put forward by the developer and MAD was only concerned with matters relating to the design.

But Homnicen Group said that the Huaxi CBD project was a commercial secret and refused to respond.

(China.org.cn by Ma Yujia, March 17, 2009)