The look of Tiananmen Square in central Beijing will be transformed with a new design for the National Museum of China announced Friday.

A joint design by architects from the Chinese Academy of Building and the German company GMP beat out nine other domestic and foreign firms that participated in the first round of bidding.

The plan was chosen by a panel of experts from the Institute of Building Design from three finalists in narrowed down competition. The winning design was described by panelists as a rational and practical structure combined with innovative and striking features.

The building will be located on the east side of Tiananmen Square where the current national history museum stands. The old structure to be razed was one of 10 projects built in the capital during 1959 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the communist republic.

The project's starting and completion dates, as well as cost, were not announced.

(Agencies September 11, 2004)