Our Homes Today

China leaps in new direction

Our Homes Today

Contemporary Chinese architecture at Commune by the Great Wall.

Few Westerners visualise China as a nation forging into new architectural arenas but these proud people have historically built awe–inspiring structures to show the world their capabilities.

The Great Wall extends for more than 6000 kilometres, Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower is the world’s third tallest TV and radio tower and Beijing’s Forbidden City is celebrated as China’s most magnificent architectural complex.

The current generation of Chinese has grown up condemning the old ways and they are interested in that which is new. Beijing’s National Stadium, aptly nicknamed the Bird’s Nest is undoubtedly China’s showpiece for the Olympic Games, however the complex was designed by Swiss architects.

For an example of upcoming Chinese and other Asian architects, visitors could venture 70 kilometres northwest of Beijing to Badaling where they will find the Commune by the Great Wall. Located near the most-visited section of the Great Wall, the development includes 12 ‘houses’ currently used as a prime hotel accommodation.

After winning the Special Prize at 2002 Venice Biennale Commune by the Great Wall put contemporary Chinese architecture and Asian architects on the world stage.

The Suitcase House designed by a team directed by Gary Chang, from the Edge Design Institute based in Hong Kong is one of the showpieces included in Commune by the Great Wall. Chang qualified at Hong Kong University in the late 1980s and founded Edge in 1994.

Flexibility, intimacy, privacy and spontaneity are features that have created this adaptable structure. Pneumatically-assisted floor panels conceal a number of compartments and only essential structural elements have a permanent presence.  Bedrooms, bathrooms, the meditation chamber, study and sauna can all be concealed or open according to occupants’ needs.

With such flexibility, all areas, including the roof, have multiple uses. The external appearance of the house alters according to the arrangement of internal screens.

Commune by the Great Wall is established as a semi-museum, particularly of value to architecture students. Visitors can book to stay in these presidential suites for approximately NZ$25, and people can tour through all 12 villas if they are not occupied.