北京标志性的当代建筑

乔伊·诺茨

Though a trip through Beijing has plenty of historical architecture to offer， the citys skyline also holds many feats of modern design. However， unlike Shanghai， where most of the great structures are gathered around the Pudong bend to be viewed all at once， Beijing has spread out its contemporary landmarks throughout the city， making it difficult for architectural enthusiasts to sneak a gander at all of them. We therefore decided to gather them all into one place. Here is our list of Beijings most iconic modern buildings：

CCTV Headquarters

The “Big Pants”， as it is more commonly known， is one of just ten buildings in the city over 200m tall. Designed by Rem Koolhaas and Ole Schreeren， the towering loop of two leaning towers connected at the top and bottom by horizontal off-shots is now such an iconic structure that it is often used in film and television to establish that the story is set in Beijing.

CITIC Tower

Standing at 528m， CITIC tower is Beijings tallest building， and the tenth tallest skyscraper in the world. It also goes by the name Zhōngguó Zūn due to its distinctive skinny-waist shape that bears resemblance to an ancient Chinese wine vessel. The office building serves as the headquarters of CITIC Group， but the basement level will soon contain a large shopping center and subway station.

Daxing International Airport

In an effort to alleviate the unceasing growth in traffic to and from Beijing Capital International Airport， a new airport was built just about as far south as you can go while still technically staying within the boundaries of Beijing. This star-shaped mega building was the last building designed by the late architect Zaha Hadid. The terminals， which cover a massive 700，000 square meters， feature an abundance of art， shopping， and dining， so visitors wont be nearly as bored as they are at Capital Airport.

Phoenix Center

Is it a smushed doughnut？ A double helix？ Perhaps a sort of Mobius strip？ Lying at the southwest corner of Chaoyang Park， the Phoenix Center is an award-winning building that leaves much up to the interpretation of the on-looker. It was built to house Hong Kong broadcaster Phoenix TV， and occasionally opens to the public for exhibitions that show off the work of artists in addition to the stunning view from the inside.

Pangu Plaza

An unmissable structure when traveling through north Beijing， Pangu Plaza is the building with a wavy head. Its bizarre topper is meant to look like a dragon head （if you squint just right） that leads the body made up of four much shorter towers. As the logo on the side suggests， it is also housed IBMs China headquarters.

National Library North Area

The original National Library building， though it was built in 1987， would not look out of place in the China of old. Just after the Olympics， however， a sleek new building was added to the library campus. Appropriately， it somewhat resembles a giant silver book， or less appropriately， a ship from Star Trek， especially when the front windows are lit up at night （though youll have to venture to Fujian province to see a real USS Enterprise-shaped-building）. As it is a public facility， you can even go see the inside of the building， and foreigners can obtain a reader card using their passport.

National Centre for the Performing Arts

Its not hard to see how this theater earned the nickname of the “Giant Egg.” With an opera hall， a music hall， several art exhibition halls， and restaurants， the National Centre for the Performing Arts is also the largest theater building in Asia. Besides the shape， its most distinctive feature is its exterior transitions from glass to titanium and the surrounding reflection pool.

Peoples Daily Headquarters

Not far from the Big Pants， the Peoples Daily Headquarters caught a lot of flack in the design world while it was under construction due to its rather phallic appearance. Upon completion， though， it was able to shed the laughter and hold the city in awe with its shiny new fa?ade that makes it look more like a wind sail. The original design included a helipad and planned for large satellite dishes to be placed within its hollow tip， but we like it just the way it turned out.

China World Tower

In contrast with the vase-like CITIC Tower， this the second tallest building in Beijing has a chubby waist and thins out at both ends. Its crowning feature is， of course， its crown， which catches the eye when gazing across the skyline. Atop sits Atmosphere Bar， which may just have the best view of the city of any bar in town.

National Stadium

Better known by its nickname the “Birds Nest”， the National Stadium is recognizable by its steel beams that intersect and criss-cross like a bamboo forest. The stadium， which seats 91，000 spectators， was built for the 2008 Summer Olympics. Since then it has been used for major football games and other sporting events. It is also scheduled to be used for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

National Aquatics Center

Another famous Olympic facility with a catchy nickname， the “Water Cube” is defined by its bubbly fa?ade and was used for the Olympic swimming competitions and afterward was opened to the public as an indoor water park. In preparation for the 2022 Winter Olympics， it has undergone a transformation into an “Ice Cube” and will host the Olympic curling events.

Digital Beijing Building

This giant data center， too， was erected to serve the needs of the 2008 Olympics and sits adjacent to Pangu Plaza and the National Stadium. From the west-side view， fittingly， the Digital Beijing Buildings horizontal and diagonal lines evoke the circuits of a computer chip. From the south， one can see that the building is actually four separate sections， unequally divided and spaced.

Olympic Tower

Overlooking the Olympic Park， the Olympic Tower is made up of five connected towers that bloom into circular observation decks at the tops. The tower was built to commemorate the 2008 games coming to Beijing， and its only functional purpose is to get a nice view of the city.

Wangjing Soho

Wangjing Soho was designed by architect Zaha Hadid and features three separate shark fin-like buildings of varying heights and widths. At 200 meters， the tower is the worlds fifth tallest building designed by a woman.

Galaxy SOHO

This massive SOHO is another work of the late Hadid， and similarity can be seen in the vertical lines around the curvilinear buildings. Between its four towers lies a courtyard that has been known to host more than a few of our festivals.

Leeza Soho

Zaha Hadids final impression on Beijing， the Leeza Soho in Fengtai was completed at the end of 2019， and is a continuation of her fascination with curvilinear elements and design. At nearly 200-meters-tall， the atrium is the biggest in the world and is cleverly designed so that its 45-degree angle allows sunlight into all of its 46 floors， which mostly hold office space.

Beijing Poly Theatre

Built in 2000， Dongsishitiaos imposing Poly Theatre and sprawling bronze mural is likely one of the first buildings to catch the attention of visitors. The 1，400-seat theater houses plays， music， and opera throughout the year.

Bank of China Headquarters

The Bank of China Headquarters in Xicheng was designed by the late Guangzhou-born architect I. M. Pei， who died last year at the age of 102. Completed in 1982， the bank marks Peis first China-based project， 40 years after his initial departure， and eschews a skyscraper-type design for something more subdued so not to overshadow important low-lying structures in the heart of the Chinese capital such as the Forbidden City. Pei also leaves behind the Fragrant Hill Hotel in Beijings northwest.

北京城上下不僅拥有大量历史建筑，其天际线更见证了当代建筑设计的辉煌成就。北京与上海不同：上海多数大型建筑都聚集在浦东江湾一带，于一地即可欣赏完毕;而北京的当代地标建筑则分布在城市各处，建筑爱好者很难尽览。因此，我们将北京最具标志性的现代建筑汇集于一处，以下便是这份清单：

中央电视台总部大楼

俗称“大裤衩”的中央电视台总部大楼，是北京高度超过200米的十大建筑之一，设计者为雷姆·库哈斯和奥雷·舍人。两幢倾斜塔楼顶部和底部分别由横向分支结构连接。这座高耸的环形建筑现已成为北京地标之一，其身影经常出现在故事背景为北京的电影和电视剧中。

中信大厦

中信大厦高528米，是北京目前最高的建筑物，也是世界第十高楼。由于其独特的细腰形状与中国古代的酒器尊相似，又被称为“中国尊”。中信大厦是中信集团总部的办公楼，但其地下层将很快有一个大型购物中心和地铁站进驻。

大兴国际机场

为了缓解北京首都国际机场不断增长的运输压力，在北京最南端建造了一个新机场。这座六角星形巨型建筑是已故建筑师扎哈·哈迪德的收官之作。其航站楼占地达70万平方米，拥有齐全的艺术、购物和餐饮场所，旅客不会像在首都国际机场那样感到无聊。

凤凰国际传媒中心

压扁的甜甜圈？双螺旋？还是麦比乌斯带？凤凰国际传媒中心坐落于朝阳公园的西南角。这座获奖的建筑留给观赏者无尽的遐想空间。该建筑是为香港广播电视台凤凰卫视而建，偶尔会向公众开放以展示内部的宏伟设计或举办艺术作品展览。

盘古大观

游览北京北城时盘古大观不容错过。盘古大观的顶部呈波浪形。如果您眯眼从特定角度看过去，其造型奇特的顶部形似龙首，四栋矮很多的建筑依次延展，状同龙身。大楼侧面的标识显示，这里也是IBM的中国总部所在地。

中国国家图书馆北区

原来的中国国家图书馆，虽然建于1987年，却颇有中国古典建筑之美。然而，奥运会落幕后不久，一座造型流畅优美的崭新建筑在图书馆院内拔地而起。恰如其分地讲，这座建筑有点形似一部巨大的银色书本;夸张点说，它看起来略似电影《星际迷航》中的一艘战舰，特别是建筑正面的窗户在夜晚被灯光照亮时。但如果你想见识真正的联邦星舰企业号形状的建筑，就得去福建省一探究竟了。中国国家图书馆是公共服务机构，你可以进入图书馆内部参观。外国游客也可以持护照办理读者卡。

中国国家大剧院

不难想象中国国家大剧院是如何获得“巨蛋”这一绰号的。剧院内设有歌剧院、音乐厅、多个艺术展厅和餐厅，是亚洲最大的剧院综合体建筑。除了外形，其最显著的特征还包括玻璃和钛金属板共同构成的外部幕墙及环绕四周倒映其影的人工湖。

人民日报社总部大楼

距“大裤衩”不远便是人民日报社总部大楼。修建初期，由于其外观颇似男性生殖器，该大楼的设计受到了建筑设计界的猛烈批判。不过，竣工后，它闪闪发光的新立面仿若风帆，不仅回击了所有质疑嘲笑，更让整个城市惊叹不已。最初的设计包括一个停机坪，并计划将大型卫星天线放置于大楼顶部的空心结构中，但我们更喜欢它现在的样子。

国贸大厦

与花瓶形状的中信大厦刚好相反，北京第二大高楼国贸大厦的轮廓是腰丰两端细。其最大特色当然是楼顶。当您眺望天空的时候，一眼便会注意到它。位于大厦顶层的云·酷酒吧，享有最佳的景观视野，可以俯瞰全城。

国家体育场

国家体育场有一个更为人熟知的外号“鸟巢”。体育场由纵横交错的钢结构线条构架而成，仿若疏密有致的竹林，颇具辨识度。体育场为2008年夏季奥运会而建，可容纳约91000名观众。奥运会结束后，它承办了许多大型足球赛事及体育活动。国家体育馆还将成为2022年冬奥会和冬残奥会开闭幕式的举办场地。

国家游泳中心

另一著名的奥运会比赛场馆拥有肥皂泡状的外观，人们为其起了一个朗朗上口的绰号“水立方”。国家游泳中心是奥运游泳比赛场地，赛后对公众开放，成为室内水上乐园。为迎接2022年冬奥会，“水立方”已改造成“冰立方”，将作为奥运会冰壶项目的比赛场馆。

数字北京大厦

这座雄伟的数字信息中心，同样是服务2008年奥运会而建，毗邻盘古大观和国家体育场。从西侧看去，数字北京大厦的水平线和对角线恰似计算机芯片的电路图案。从南侧看，可以看出该建筑物实际上是由四个独立部分不均等分割排列而成。

北京奥林匹克塔

俯瞰整个奥林匹克公园的北京奥林匹克塔由五座相连的塔组合而成，塔的顶部逐渐向四周延展成环形观光台。该塔是为了紀念2008年北京奥运会而建，其唯一功能就是可以让人们登高一览城市美景。

望京SOHO

望京SOHO由扎哈·哈迪德设计，由三座高度和宽度都不同的鲨鱼鳍外观独立建筑组成。该建筑高约200米，是出自女性建筑师之手的世界第五大高楼。

银河SOHO

这座大型综合项目是已故建筑师哈迪德的另一作品，延续了以往的建筑风格，垂直轴线环绕着圆润流动的建筑空间。四座楼之间是下沉式广场，因举办众多节日活动而广为人知。

丽泽SOHO

位于丰台区的丽泽SOHO于2019年年底竣工，是扎哈·哈迪德留给北京的最后惊艳之作。该建筑延续了哈迪德的流线造型设计理念。丽泽SOHO的中庭高近200米，为世界之最，其45度角的巧妙设计可让阳光照进全部46个楼层。楼内大部分都是办公场所。

北京保利剧院

建于2000年，地处东四十条，宏伟的保利剧院及其长卷青铜壁画算得上最早吸引游客眼球的打卡地之一。剧院共设1400多个座位，全年承接戏剧、音乐会和歌剧等各种类型的演出。

中国银行总行大厦

位于北京西城区的中国银行总行大厦由出生在广州的已故建筑师贝聿铭设计。贝聿铭先生于2019年去世，享年102岁。中国银行总行大厦于1982年竣工，是贝聿铭离开中国40年后首次操刀设计的中国项目。贝聿铭未将其设计为摩天大楼，而是限制其高度，以免让首都中心地带低矮却极其重要的建筑黯然失色，如紫禁城。贝聿铭留给后世的作品还有北京西北部的香山饭店。           □

（译者单位：成都大学）