ChinaEthnoExp. Part VI. Characteristics of Contemporary Chinese Architecture

Map

October 7–27, 2014

Many people in Russia have negative stereotypes about the Chinese and think that they never bathe, eat rice with cockroaches and live in shit.

But China is actually ahead of Russia by about 30 years. And not just in terms of the number of highways, urban roads with dividers and high-speed railways.

Contemporary Chinese architecture has advanced way beyond ours. The Chinese don’t just build square meters—they build housing that pleases the eye and the soul. Of course, they may sometimes lack taste from our point of view. But their objectives and solutions are a head above ours.

The first characteristic is a complex perimeter

Our buildings’ horizontal cross-sections are rectangular. A Chinese building’s cross-section is a complex shape. Every building has recesses and semi-shafts in the facade, something that Russians would consider to be a) nonfunctional and b) eating up precious square meters. They serve just one purpose: the building has more soul that way.

The Chinese know a thing or two about what gives a building soul. Even if the building itself is drab.

Even if it’s a mediocre new development.

The second characteristic is roof decoration

In China, even if a building is super basic, the facade can’t simply end just like that after the top floor.

There absolutely has to be something at the top. If money’s short, a simple canopy or fence consisting of large elements will do.

If money isn’t an issue, you have to construct an elaborate headdress that will be visible from miles away.

The important thing is that you decorate the roof.

Rooftops are usually equipped with an observation deck, grill area and garden. All this is for residents only. Outsiders will have a hard time getting past the doorman.

One of the balconies on the 36th floor:

The third characteristic is penthouses

The Chinese understand the most important thing: there’s nothing nicer than the top floor. Or the two top floors. So the apartments there are designed to be special and sold for much more money.

Even in a low-rise building, the top floor and rooftop above it are the coziest place to be.

There’s nothing but the sky above you. The Chinese understand and appreciate this. Tacky, you say? But on the plus side, every balcony is cozy and private.

Compare this to the view out the window in any Russian suburb.

See if you can find anything similar in our parts.

The thing is, the Chinese aren’t just financially solvent, they’re also discerning. So there’s no shortage of people who are happy to snap up as many penthouses with a view as possible. And the architects aim to please the people, not the developers.

The large-scale high-rise developments in China are wonderful. You want to live in a building like this, with its complex balconies, cozy nooks, niches, rooftops and stairwells.

Meanwhile, an elite (ha-ha) development called Beijing Gardens is currently under construction in Moscow. No self-respecting Chinese person would even look at this concrete crap: no balconies, no bay windows, no alcoves, no top-floor lofts.