Spotlight
Rem Koolhaas and the New CCTV Site
Among the numerous skyscrapers in Beijing’s Central Business District in the Guomao area of the city, one in particular catches the eye.
In this building that goes well beyond the conventional skyscraper style, two (tilting) towers are connected by a huge horizontal section in the air, creating an enormous space in the middle.
Program Video
Episode 1
The new work of architecture certainly distinguishes itself from the other high-rise buildings in the area, most of which look much the same.
This is the main CCTV building at CCTV’s new site. Its unique appearance never fails to attract the attention of anyone passing by, most of whom ask themselves three questions in particular
Episode 2
When faced with all manner of queries Koolhaas showed complete confidence in his design. He said his design was not a piece of nonsense that had come about as a result of unrealistic daydreaming.
He and his company had chosen to come to China and design a building for CCTV only after careful consideration.
Episode 3
At 9:08 in the morning of December 26th 2007, the cantilever steel structure of the Main Building of the CCTV new site was successfully closed. This fantastic work of architecture in terms of its asymmetry consists of two towers which are 234-meters and 194 meters high respectively and which toward each other.
Episode 4
On the top and bottom of the cantilever, firm steel beams connect with the towers to ‘hold’ the cantilever.
As the main building has a ring-shaped structure, the towers to the ends of the cantilever and the turning at the bottom work together to form a conjunct weighted system.
