FROM 'BIG ROOF' TO 'BIRDS � NEST' - THE TRANSFORMATION OF BEIJING CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE AND URBANIZATION

Abstract

Chinese modern architecture was left a blank page due to the Cultural Revolution before the Open-door policy implemented in 1980s, whilst the western architecture was moving into the period of Post Modernism. The transformation of contemporary Chinese architecture and urbanization has always being a history of dilemma between national identity and international influence, which is a result of national humility and arrogance rooted in the Chinese people.

As a result, the transformation of contemporary architecture in the following decades till today is constantly shaped by this dilemma; harsh decisions leading to mistakes were made to react to different intervention, from both inside and outside the country. In the crucial period of social reform, plenty of social issues surfaced and amplified together with the rapid economic growth.

Architecture is a reflection of the social issues and a recording of history. This dissertation is a critical analysis on the transformation of contemporary architecture and urbanization after 1980s in the capital city, Beijing. While mainly examine on the mistakes made in three prominent architectural trends, factors that resulted these mistakes will be discussed in detail.

This dissertation is not providing an answer to resolve the dilemma; however, it is an attempt to look into the situations caused by the dilemma under different circumstances, and in the hope of fewer mistakes being made in the future.