Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Futuristic Addition Adorns Traditional Beijing Courtyard Home


VOAVideo: Futuristic Addition Adorns Traditional Beijing Courtyard Home

One of the biggest costs of Beijing's rapid economic development has been the destruction of many of the city's old courtyard houses, which line the once numerous alleys known as hutongs (hoo-tohngs). The crux of the problem is how to preserve the old buildings and, at the same time, bring them and the rest of the city, into the 21st century. Stephanie Ho spoke with one of China's most famous up-and-coming architects, who has devised a striking solution.