Urbanus architecture & design, Shenzhen and Beijing.Thoughtful urbanism is the hallmark of Urbanus, a practice that was established in the southern city of Shenzhen in 1999, and branched out to Beijing in 2003. It was founded by Liu Xiaodu, Yan Meng and Wang Hui Wang Hui (born 1632, Jiangsu province, China—died 1717) Chinese artist who was the paramount member of the group of Chinese painters known as the Four Wangs (including Wang Shimin, Wang Jian, and Wang Yuanqi). , fellow students at Tsinghua and at Miami University Miami University, main campus at Oxford, Ohio; coeducational; state supported; chartered 1809, opened 1824. The library has extensive collections in literature and American history, including the William Holmes McGuffey Library and Museum and the Edgar W. in Ohio. All three took jobs in the US but were impatient to return to face the challenge of their homeland - and especially in the chaotic city that pioneered China's economic boom. Their dedication brought them a steady stream of commissions, and they participated in 170 varied projects in their first eight years. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Urbanus seeks to integrate its buildings and public spaces within the physical, historical and social fabric of the city. The Dafen Art Museum is located in a low-income district of Shenzhen that specialises in producing replicas of Old Master oil paintings for export to the Wes. It's a hugely profitable industry but little of this wealth is shared with the community. In an effort to alleviate the congestion The condition of a network when there is not enough bandwidth to support the current traffic load. congestion - When the offered load of a data communication path exceeds the capacity. and serve public needs, the architects have created a hybrid of high and low culture, galleries and shops, rental workshops and studios under one top-lit roof. The hexagonal hex·ag·o·nal adj. 1. Having six sides. 2. Containing a hexagon or shaped like one. 3. Mineralogy block, accessed by ramps from a public plaza, is a complex of interdependent spaces and functions. Paintings and windows are set at angles across the facades to bring art into the public realm. In a similar spirit of populism populism Political program or movement that champions the common person, usually by favourable contrast with an elite. Populism usually combines elements of the left and right, opposing large business and financial interests but also frequently being hostile to established , the Shenzhen Planning Building seeks to demystify de·mys·ti·fy tr.v. de·mys·ti·fied, de·mys·ti·fy·ing, de·mys·ti·fies To make less mysterious; clarify: an autobiography that demystified the career of an eminent physician. the workings of the government bureaucracy. Transparency and the humane scale present a welcoming image and a radical shift away from the pompous office blocks that are favoured by government architects. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The goal of the White Cloud White Cloud: see Waubeshiek. white cloud indicates high achievement. [Western Folklore: Jobes, 350] See : Success Jewellery Centre in Beijing was to shield a venerable Taoist temple from the messy redevelopment of the surrounding neighbourhood by constructing two linear blocks of retail to the south and west. The overlaid geometries of the glass facade are derived from the Taoist pattern of Eight Diagrams, and the block to the west merges into an undulating park, blurring the divide between building and landscape. As Wang observes, it's hard to secure approval for a modern building from the Capital Planning Commission Noun 1. planning commission - a commission delegated to propose plans for future activities and developments commission, committee - a special group delegated to consider some matter; "a committee is a group that keeps minutes and loses hours" - Milton Berle and Antiques Bureau, and it took personal advocacy to overcome the director's objections. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In the south-western city of Chengdu, Urbanus was asked to improve the circulation areas of a theatre that hosts diverse popular entertainment spectacles. They extended the lobby to frame an oval plaza, and broke down the scale of the addition by folding the canopy over a wrap-around concourse. The facade is pixellated in 10 different hues of glass, and the concourse is enlivened en·liv·en tr.v. en·liv·ened, en·liv·en·ing, en·liv·ens To make lively or spirited; animate. en·liv  en·er n. with colourful glass light
fittings and paper cubes. As in Shenzhen, Urbanus are using architecture
to create public space, a resource that is often swallowed by new
development as the price of real estate continues to soar relentlessly.
The challenge is to create buildings, parks and plazas that are strongly
defined and relevant to the needs of their users.
The Beijing office has broadened the scope of Urbanus' work. Wang teaches at Tsinghua University History Tsinghua University was established in Beijing in 1911 on the site of a former royal garden belonging to a prince, and was funded by an indemnity which . 'There, I'm exposed to Western students and to joint ventures in which everyone learns,' he says. It's important to use our professional skills to improve the country, rather than see yourself primarily as an educator.' M.W. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] |
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