Dashila is a famous hutong in Beijing. The traditional narrow alley was a famous businessstreet. Now it has become the microcosm of the old time of Beijing, and the representativeof fashion and creation. Featuring Chinese and western architecture, it witnessed Beijing'shistory and development. This year, Dashila will represent Chinese architecture to get onthe stage in Venice.
Beijing Design Week, along with Italian architectural design company DONTSTOP Studio,will take the Dashila project to promote Chinese architecture in the world’s toparchitecture show in Venice. The organizer believes that the project will convey the ideasand development of a Chinese city to the world.
The China City Pavilion founded and operated by Beijing Design Week and DONTSTOPStudio will be presented during the 2014 Venice Architecture Biennale. With the theme"Pass Through ? Beijing", the Dashila project will debut in the pavillion.
Chinese contemporary architecture to get on the stage in Venice
Venice Architecture Biennale is more than a century old, and its architecture section wasestablished in 1980. In the past 30 years, Venice Architecture Biennale has become thebiggest and most glamorous architecture show worldwide.
"The 14th International Architecture Exhibition will be held June 7th to November 23rd of2014 at the Giardini and Arsenale venues. 100-year-old Venice Architecture Biennale isone of the most important art shows in Europe, and is dubbed as 'Olympics in art'", saidAlberto Bradanini, Italy's ambassador to China. He said that the launch of the China CitySection signifies that contemporary Chinese architectural art has officially stepped onto thestage of the Venice Biennale. Meanwhile, it will also encourage more cities in China toparticipate in the 2015 Venice Expo, which is linked to the 2015 Milan Expo.
Zeng Hui, vice dirctor of Beijing Design Week Organizing Committee, said that: "China CityPavilion along with 'Pass Through ? Beijing' project will show the ideas and process of urbantransition, so that it will make the conversation stride over between Venice and Chinesecities".
Pass through a centurial city development to seek a way out
Dashila was Beijing's most prosperous commercial street with 500-year-old history. As oneof the areas rich in historical and cultural resources in Beijing, it also reflects the city'sdevelopment and changes.
Zeng said: "As the first city to exhibit in the China City Pavilion, Beijing is especiallyrepresentative in its urban culture, architectural features, and modern development. TheDashila project, run by the Xicheng district government and Beijing Design Week, isundoubtedly our benchmark case for urban revitalization and cultural protection. Thisproject not only protects the intangible urban heritages, but also infuses new energy intothe community."
"The combination of old streets and new design gave tourists a unique experience, andprovided a new way to activate a historic cultural area subsequently," said Wang Zhizhong,deputy general director of Dashila Liulichang Construction & Management Department, "Dashila project aims to rejuvenate an old street. I hope this project will offer some positivethinking toward urban development and cultural renaissance."
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