It has seldom managed a high-rise building, so many fantasies to stimulate as the “Galaxy SOHO” skyscraper complex in the center of Beijing. There are no corners nor edges, no straight lines or clear precisely set spaces and even less any applied square bases. It swings and floats with flowing, almost bulbous curves that leave an elitist impression in their noble whites. It offers an unusual sight, leaving the viewer once in amazement – and perhaps doubtful – back. Hollywood will one day this building to use as a backdrop for a futuristic film applied.
Enthusiasm or discredit?
More than 15,000 visitors were at the opening ceremony thrilled end of 2012, critics rather restrained. And even more critics doubted whether such a futuristic building “survive” can. Not a high-rise building has caused so much controversy, even though the structure of the building clearly thought through in its design and is positively and thus almost perfectly. But there is still almost a provocative effect.
But that is precisely what makes a work of art – the controversy. And what would a work of art – and that just includes works of architecture – that would not stimulate the imagination of the viewer and the critic. Without a doubt, the Galaxy SOHO is a perfect self-building, which emerges only through his unusual forms and by the absence of any straight out from the crowd.
Controversy as a predicate for quality?
Admittedly controversy is to be regarded as predicate a provocation in itself. Controversies are also characterized emerged that confusions have arisen solely through the naming respectively the remarks the architect. Whether rice fields serve as inspiration that accompanied symbolically with the curved lines, or rather a spaceship was being considered, the zoom hovers quietly flight from higher spheres or better distant galaxies, is ultimately not clear. The name Galaxy, which is in such proportion to China, however, allows for the last assumption.
Curved architecture on 330,000 square meters
The complex consists of four contiguous towers that are connected by pedestrian bridges. Between clearances are maintained, giving a kind of ravines and in turn give the towers a unique character. The entire complex consists of 330,000 square meters usable space, commercial, entertainment and shopping malls on the first three floors and offices on the other twelve storeys. For relaxation and dining it comes to higher spheres, where restaurants, cafes and bars. Large-scale, glass-roofed courtyards are reminiscent of the traditional Chinese design, where a joint cooperation of the residents should be made possible. Between the towers are located in the heights vary Inappropriate levels that are visible and thus lean on the panoramic architecture. The shape of this design results from different angles constantly changing perspectives.
Architecture always has a vision as well
Who the Galaxy SOHO viewed from above, is thought to be in a spaceship hovering noiselessly explored the rest of the universe. The complex seems like huge beehives or resembles a sliced giant egg. The view from inside up to the towers is provided with a grid-like network which in turn reminiscent of a honeycomb. Curved galleries that are on terraced slopes that skirt every single floor and offer an unobstructed view in lower as upper floors. The white interior, as well as soft, light Buffered supporting the character of an “essential” environment. Width rooflights separate inside curved ceiling and give the otherwise massive scale building a certain elegance and lightness.
Unusual Design – surreal and kinetic
This extraordinary building was designed by the British architect and architecture professor with Iraqi roots Zaha Hadid, which was strongly influenced by the Bauhaus style. In her early years she has designed her children’s own ideas themselves, which in turn led to numerous templates of nurseries in Baghdad. At age eleven, she made the decision to become an architect. She is without a doubt an exceptional talent and won the first woman in 2004 the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize. Over the years, she developed a “flowing” style, which again can be found in many of its buildings. The best example of this is resulting in Hong Kong “Innovation Tower” of the Polytechnic University and the mountain station “Hungerburgbahn” in Innsbruck. Again prevail soft curved lines, which – similar to the Galaxy SOHO building – leave a futuristic impression and elitist.
It is certain that Hadid’s works can be considered as innovations that offer some space for ideologies of all stripes.
Source Picture: Galaxy Soho, Source: Amazingloong/wikimedia/cc
