Task Two

Expo 2010 Shanghai China

The main idea of the China Pavilion is to show the chinese traditional spirit that a nature unity of heaven and man. The main structure of the China Pavilion, "The Crown of the East," has a distinctive roof, made of traditional dougong or brackets, which date back more than 2,000 years. The dougong style features wooden brackets fixed layer upon layer between the top of a column and a crossbeam. This unique structural component of interlocking wooden brackets is one of the most important elements in traditional Chinese architecture. Dougong was widely used in the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC-467 BC).

It is easy to find the good sign of such a design is that it combines the ideas of modern design and the traditional building principle in China. Its features represent different and complex characters of Chinese culture and history. As a pavilion in such a great Expo, it is a significant work.

However, people argued about the China Pavilion’s creativity and innovation.  It is said that there are too many elements combined together to show the main point of view from the pavilion. It also is questioned about the style of pavilion is more like from Japanese architecture (for example the Big Sight Convention Center), 

but it cannot relate to any traditional architecture in China herself. Further more, the concept of this design shows more concerns about the tradition but not the innovation. In another word, we do not see the new ideas from it. I personally think this is a big weakness that China should improve.