Born in 1944, Rem Koolhaas was a famous architect with fondness for symmetry, challenging spatial explorations, and unexpected uses of colour. By many he was classified as a deconstructivist because of this theoretical writings and architectural style, yet in his work there is still a focus on architectures role in everyday life followed by a strong sense of humanity.

From 2002 to 2012 Koolhaas worked on designing the CCTV (China Central Television) building in Beijing, China. The focus of this building, unlike many others was not to compete for height or style using a two-dimensional shape which soars into the sky, but to instead create a three-dimensional experience which resulted in a 75 metre cantilever. Depending on what angle you’re looking at it from, it can appear either big or small and strong or soft and can be seen from most areas of Beijing.

There are two tower rises which share a platform, they are joined at the top by a cantilevering bridge known as the overhang. One tower is for editing area and offices, the second is for news broadcasting and the overhang is for administration.

The possibility for high rise architecture was due to the collaboration of European and Chinese engineers. There is a web of triangulated steel tubes known as diagrids which become dense in areas of greater stress and looser and more open in areas requiring less support. Glass panels are used throughout which create a silver-grey colour. CCTV’s form facilitates the combination of the entire process of TV-making in a loop of interconnected activities.

“[CCTV is] a building that introduces new ways of conceptualising, liberating and realising structure that did not exist in China before, and of which I’m sure Chinese culture and Chinese architecture will benefit,” he said. “It articulates the position and the situation of China.” Koolhaas, 2014.

CCTV Building, Remhaas