deconarch

A little late considering all the discussions around the Olympics (which I don’t want to rehash, though I’m definitely very critical against the issue), but nevertheless, Herzog & de Meuron’s stadium is worth a second thought:

A documentary filmby Christoph Schaub and Michael Schindhelm “follows two Swiss star architects on two very different projects: the national stadium for the Olympic summer games in Peking 2008 and a city area in the provincial town of Jinhua, China. Architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron are literally building bridges between two cultures, two architectural traditions, and two political systems. Their work doesn’t simply enhance China’s great international debut, but serves the everyday needs of the Chinese population. “Bird’s Nest” presents the Basle architects as they find solutions not in the comfort of an ivory tower but in encounters and friction on the ground.” (quoted from the official synopsis)

According to (Swiss) newspaper reviews, the documentary not only offers striking architectonical insights, but also pictures the Chinese society’s mood in times of rapid changes.

Further information and trailer on the website www.herzogdemeuron-film.com