Galaxy Soho by Zaha Hadid Architects

Zaha Hadid's Beijing 'Galaxy' nears completion

No corner suites in this new office and retail entertainment complex - Hadid's first in the Chinese capital

Dame Zaha Hadid says the interior of Galaxy Soho, her soon-to-be-completed office and retail complex in central Beijing pays tribute to the city's traditional courtyards. However, this is where any associations with 'old China' ends. These five, interlinked, ergonomic towers have the kind of contemporary novelty and multiple perspectives befitting the Pritzker laureate's debut in the Chinese capital.

Architizer compares the complex to ' H. Wunderlich and R. Klüser’s stunning Parkhaus Kaufhof,' while we think it brings to mind Welton Becket's iconic 1956 Capitol Records building. Certainly, the straight-line-free complex will keep lucky young Beijing execs from arguing over who gets the corner office when the completion date arrives on October 27. Until then, they'll have to content themselves with some recent shots in this Design Boom story, or view Hadid practice's promotional video below. To get more from this kind of cutting edge architecture check out our great new book Understanding Architecture in the store now and worth 500 points when you join Phaidon Club

 

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