Beijing 2018 - Galaxy Soho by Zaha Hadid Architects

Besides the historical landmarks, Beijing also has its ultra-modern side. Many renown international architects have left their mark in this historical city. One of these is Galaxy Soho. Completed in 2014, this is one of Zaha Hadid’s many mega-projects in China. The development consists of 4 main buildings – 18-storey towers that are curvilinear in shape. According to Zaha the design is a “reinventing of the classical Chinese courtyard which generates and immersive, enveloping experience at the heart of Beijing”. I really struggled to see the connection.

While the earlier designs of Zaha never fail to impress with her confidence and virtuosity in form-making, her later projects seem to be cut mostly from the same cloth. This project is no different – you can see the catalogue of parts from a mile away.