Spanish-Cuban architect Alina Valcarce recently worked on the winning design for a new exhibition center in Zhangjiakou, co-host of the 2022 Winter Olympics. Scroll through the gallery for China-based projects designed by foreign architects, from young graduates to world-renowned names.
Exhibition center design in Chongli, Hebei, by GroupGSA —
Spanish-Cuban architect Alina Valcarce recently worked on the winning design for a new exhibition center in Zhangjiakou, co-host of the 2022 Winter Olympics. Scroll through the gallery for China-based projects designed by foreign architects, from young graduates to world-renowned names.
Courtesy of GroupGSA
On her first day working in China, when she was just 24 years old, Valcarce began designing this 1.7-million-square-foot development.
Jinhua Taigu Craft Plaza, Zhejiang, by SURE Architecture —
On her first day working in China, when she was just 24 years old, Valcarce began designing this 1.7-million-square-foot development.
Courtesy of SURE Architecture
Headquartered in London, but with offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, SURE Architecture designed this 6.5-million-square-foot complex for the Chinese property giant, Wanda Group.
Shangrao Wanda Plaza, Jiangxi, by SURE Architecture —
Headquartered in London, but with offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, SURE Architecture designed this 6.5-million-square-foot complex for the Chinese property giant, Wanda Group.
Courtesy SURE Architecture
Alina Valcarce helped establish Sure Architecture's Beijing office after she arrived in China. Before leaving the firm, she worked on a range of urban planning developments, like this project in Hebei province.
West Harbor Qinhuangdao, Hebei, by SURE Architecture —
Alina Valcarce helped establish Sure Architecture's Beijing office after she arrived in China. Before leaving the firm, she worked on a range of urban planning developments, like this project in Hebei province.
Courtesy of SURE Architecture
Italian architect Nicola Saladino, 37, arrived in Beijing from London after the global financial crisis. He has since co-founded his own firm, reMIX studio.
Shunyi House, Beijing, by reMIX Studio —
Italian architect Nicola Saladino, 37, arrived in Beijing from London after the global financial crisis. He has since co-founded his own firm, reMIX studio.
Image: Courtesy reMIX Studio
The Shanghai branch of the Dutch architecture firm UNStudio officially opened in 2010. It's one of the company's three international offices.
Hanjie Wanda Square, Wuhan, by UNStudio —
The Shanghai branch of the Dutch architecture firm UNStudio officially opened in 2010. It's one of the company's three international offices.
Image: Courtesy Edmon Leong
Completed in 2014, UNStudio's four-building design is curved to imitate the surrounding mountains. In addition to developments in Beijing and Shanghai, the Dutch firm has worked on projects in a variety of other Chinese cities, including Qingdao, Wenzhou and Wuhan.
Qingdao Horticultural Expo, Qingdao, by UNStudio —
Completed in 2014, UNStudio's four-building design is curved to imitate the surrounding mountains. In addition to developments in Beijing and Shanghai, the Dutch firm has worked on projects in a variety of other Chinese cities, including Qingdao, Wenzhou and Wuhan.
Image: Courtesy UNStudio Photo by Edmon Leong
UNStudio, the firm behind this Shanghai project, employs a mixture of Chinese and foreign architects.
Lane 189, Shanghai, by UNStudio —
UNStudio, the firm behind this Shanghai project, employs a mixture of Chinese and foreign architects.
Image: Courtesy UNStudio Photo by Eric Jap
The post-Olympics building boom saw a new wave of foreign architects arriving in China. UNStudio set up its Shanghai office due to the firm's "strong success in the wider Asia-pacific region," according to a press statement.
Raffles City, Beijing, by UNStudio —
The post-Olympics building boom saw a new wave of foreign architects arriving in China. UNStudio set up its Shanghai office due to the firm's "strong success in the wider Asia-pacific region," according to a press statement.
Image: Courtesy UNStudio Photo by Jin Xing
The late British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid was a high-profile forebear to the recent wave of young foreign architects in China. Her work in the country dates back to the early 2000s.
Galaxy SOHO, Beijing, by Zaha Hadid Architects —
The late British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid was a high-profile forebear to the recent wave of young foreign architects in China. Her work in the country dates back to the early 2000s.
Image: Courtesy Zaha Hadid Architects
One of the best-known foreign architects in China, Hadid designed a number of iconic buildings in cities including Beijing, Guangzhou and Nanjing.
Guangzhou Infinitus Plaza, Guangzhou, by Zaha Hadid Architects —
One of the best-known foreign architects in China, Hadid designed a number of iconic buildings in cities including Beijing, Guangzhou and Nanjing.
Zaha Hadid Architects
Although Zaha Hadid died in 2016, her firm continues to build projects in China, including Leeza Soho in Beijing and the New Century City Art Center in Chengdu.
Leeza Soho, Beijing, by Zaha Hadid Architects —
Although Zaha Hadid died in 2016, her firm continues to build projects in China, including Leeza Soho in Beijing and the New Century City Art Center in Chengdu.
Image: Courtesy Zaha Hadid Architects Renders by MIR
Zaha Hadid's first and only building in Shanghai, Sky Soho is an office and retail complex close to Shanghai's Hongqiao Airport.
SKY SOHO, Shanghai, by Zaha Hadid Architects —
Zaha Hadid's first and only building in Shanghai, Sky Soho is an office and retail complex close to Shanghai's Hongqiao Airport.
Image: Courtesy Zaha Hadid Architects photo by Hufton+Crow
A collaboration between British architectural giants Heatherwick Studio and Foster + Partners, the theater's layers of bronze piping slowly move to reveal glimpses of glass windows and the second floor's golden balcony.
Shanghai Zendai Bund International Finance Center, Shanghai, by Foster+Partners —
A collaboration between British architectural giants Heatherwick Studio and Foster + Partners, the theater's layers of bronze piping slowly move to reveal glimpses of glass windows and the second floor's golden balcony.
Image: Courtesy Shanghai Zendai Bund International Finance Center Real Estate Company Ltd.
Swiss-owned architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron designed the iconic "Bird's Nest" stadium for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. With an office in Hong Kong, the firm continues to be active in mainland China.
The National Stadium, Beijing, by Herzog & de Meuron —
Swiss-owned architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron designed the iconic "Bird's Nest" stadium for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. With an office in Hong Kong, the firm continues to be active in mainland China.
Iwan Baan
Known locally as a "big pants," the CCTV Headquarters in Beijing was designed by renowned European architects Rem Koolhaas and Ole Scheeren.
CCTV Headquarters, Beijing, by OMA —
Known locally as a "big pants," the CCTV Headquarters in Beijing was designed by renowned European architects Rem Koolhaas and Ole Scheeren.
Image: Courtesy Ed Jones/ AFP/ Getty Images
One of the world's best-known architects, Norman Foster has taken on a number of projects in China, including the China Resources University in Shenzhen and Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport.
Beijing International Airport, Beijing, by Foster+Partners —
One of the world's best-known architects, Norman Foster has taken on a number of projects in China, including the China Resources University in Shenzhen and Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport.
Image: Courtesy Foster+Partners Photo by Ma Wenxiao