8 Sep 2008
Beijing South Railway Station used as benchmark
Photographs © Arup / Zhou Ruogu Architecture Photography
China’s Ministry of Railways has hailed Farrells’ Beijing South
Railway Station as an exemplar project that will be used as a benchmark
for massive new investment for China’s railway infrastructure.
The Ministry of Railways plans to spend 150bn RMB (1.2bn GBP) to build
a number of new railway stations along a new high speed rail link between
Beijing and Shanghai, with Beijing South as the flagship of a network
of new stations and six massive hubs. Among the new stations currently
under construction is New Guangzhou Station, another of Farrells’
projects, due for completion in 2009.
Announcing the new investment, The Ministry of Rail’sways Chief Engineer,
Jain Zheng, said that Beijing South will be used as a benchmark because
of its innovative architecture, energy conservation features and its capacity
to handle a peak passenger flow of one million people per day.
Sir Terry Farrell said:
“Investment in rail infrastructure can recast our sense of urban
place and ease linkages that change our sense of distance and accessibility.
Model interchanges such as Beijing South Railway Station are increasingly
impacting on the growth of cities and enriching peoples’ lives. Successful
economies need this type of investment, and the UK can learn a lesson
from China’s massive and bold long-term investment in its railway
infrastructure”.
Beijing Airport
Farrells began its journey into the Asia-Pacific region after winning
an international competition to design the new Peak Tower, setting up
office in Hong Kong in 1991. Fast forward 17 years and not only has the
architecture firm made its mark through the design and masterplanning
of iconic buildings and railways related projects, it has also shaped
towns and cities throughout China, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia,
The Philippines, Australia, India and South Africa.
The project was led by Gavin Erasmus and Stefan Krummeck from Farrells’
Hong Kong office who worked with a collaborating consultant, the Third
Survey Design Institute (TSDI).
Farrells architecture is founded on innovative technical and conceptual
thinking, a complete understanding of the history, context and aspirations
of each project and the needs of those who use and enjoy the buildings.
Beijing South Railway Station is the largest station in Asia and a core
Olympic project which opened on 1st August 2008.
Beijing Architecture
Beijing Olympic
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Central Chinese Television
Tower
Television Cultural Center
Beijing
Beijing Theatre
Beijing Building
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