As the world goes Olympics mad, Farrell has been making his own contribution to Chinese development

With a roof
area the size of 20 football pitches, the vast Beijing South Railway
Station is the largest station in Asia and a core Olympic project which
opens next week. Home to new high speed rail lines between Olympic
venues, the station is China’s largest and embodies innovative
architecture and rigorous design. It is designed for an annual
passenger turnover of 105 million by the year 2030, with a peak-hour
flow of 30,800 passengers.

The station’s low-rise roof includes a 30,000 m2 skylight that
maximises natural light into the station and conserves energy. Outside,
the station makes a generous contribution to the public realm and
significantly enhances the neighbourhood character of the surrounding
area. Its unique, contemporary form has given the city a dynamic new
landmark as well as a vital improvement to China’s infrastructure.

Currently under construction, the Kingkey Finance Tower will be
Shenzhen’s tallest building at over 100 storeys and one of the highest
mixed-use buildings in the world. At 493m, it will be taller than the
Petronas Towers in Malaysia. Its visually slim form allows for high
efficiency levels, while the sophisticated cladding enables the tower
to maintain an optimum interior environment while minimising solar heat
gain. The Tower is linked to a large shopping mall which in turn
connects directly to a metro station, and will contain offices, a
six-star luxury hotel and conference facilities with a roof-top lobby.
Kingkey Tower is set to become both an attraction and a catalyst for
further growth in China’s most successful economic zone.

China’s largest (and the world’s second largest) company commissioned
Farrells to design a prestigious new headquarters. Farrells’ design
response is a building that reflects the company’s identity and success
while incorporating many important sustainability features. Four
24-storey buildings rise from a common podium, becoming lighter and
more open towards the top of the building as the amount of glazing
increases. The building is an elegant example of modern architecture in
Beijing using the latest building technology.

Those seeking rest and relaxation away from the Olympics can travel to
Farrell’s award-winning and luxurious Sheraton Dameisha Resort in
Shenzhen – sited on a 2.5km beach with 368 rooms, exhibition and
conference facilities, restaurants, a spa and fitness centre. The
building curves around its site like a traditional Chinese dragon,
ensuring that all rooms have ocean views. The building has already won
an award for the Best Waterfront Developer/Best Waterfront Development
in China.

The hotel’s five-star pedigree, landmark architecture and stunning
natural qualities are expected to attract regular tourists from China
and around the world, helping to establish China as a resort
destination.

Sir Terry Farrell said:
“I am extremely proud of my practice’s global achievements. Whether in
transport and infrastructure, leisure or commerce, these buildings show
that we are producing world-class buildings for major global clients.
If architecture were an Olympic sport, Britain would be racing ahead. I
am proud that my firm is up there on the podium

As
the world"s olympians head to Beijing for the 2008 Olympic Games,
architect Sir Terry Farrell is busy with his own spot of world-beating
achievements in China. Here we run through a collection of four of the
best buildings by the British architect in China.
.”