'Extravagant' CCTV building draws flak
12/3/2005 9:09
An adviser of China's top political advisory body yesterday questioned the
11 billion-yuan (US$1.3 billion) office building of China Central Television,
saying the landmark project is too "extravagant" and its bizarre design
"doubtable" in terms of safety.
"Is it worthwhile to spend all this money on
an office building?" said Qian Qihu, an academician with the Chinese Academy of
Engineering. "China is not rich enough to spend money like water, with 28
million people who haven't got enough to eat."
He said the national
broadcaster's skyscraper contradicts the central government's call for
energy-efficient and land-saving construction. "We need to resort to
technological advancement to economize in urban construction," Qian said during
the ongoing annual session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative
Conference in Beijing.
Besides, some civil construction experts doubt whether
its bizarre design can protect it from strong earthquakes or other
disasters.
"The CCTV building should be safe, economical and stylish, rather
than extravagant," he added.
The state television's new office building,
dubbed as the "Titanic of Chinese architecture," is designed to be 230 meters,
taller than any other building in the capital, and is to be located in the new
central business district in eastern Beijing.
Its designer, Dutch architect
Rem Koolhaas, claimed the design is "rational, creative and integrative" and is
to demonstrate an amazing beauty.
Also under fire are a number of other
"modern buildings" such as the Olympic Center and Swimming Hall for the 2008
Beijing Olympiad, and the National Grand Theater. They are also criticized as
"extravagant" structures.
Xinhua
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