非常感谢 Kris Provoost 将项目介绍和项目图片授权gooood发行。更美的中国系列一请点击这里。更多关于作者：Kris Provoost on gooood。
Appreciation towards Kris Provoost for providing the following description. Click here for Beautified China I:

标志性建筑遍布全中国。更美的中国II将继续从极简主义的角度捕捉最引人注目的建筑。

Iconic structures are spread across the country; Beautified China II continues to capture the most striking looking buildings from a minimalist perspective.

▼20个项目一览，overview of the 20 projects

更美的中国 I 结束的地方
Where Beautified China I left off

中国华丽的建筑热潮始于12年前。当中国正准备迎接2008年北京奥运会和2010年上海世博会，一波标志性建筑开始涌入中国主要城市。西方明星和他们的东方同行，开始提议建设(而且相当一部分已经实现)北京、上海和全国其他城市的标志性建筑。这为国家的新面貌奠定了基础。回顾过去的十年，你可以问问自己，这些设计为中国带来了什么。这是更美的中国I系列的前提。在更美的中国II中的观察更加深入。镜头聚焦到中国大陆的其他城市，美丽的中国II中展示了20张极简风格的照片，这些照片来自于过去8年12个城市中的20个项目，突出中国标志性建筑的建设热潮。

▼重庆大剧院，2009年竣工，由GMP建筑师事务所设计；Chongqing Grand Theater completed in 2009, Chongqing by GMP Architekten

China’s flamboyant building boom started some 12 years ago. As China was gearing up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, a wave of iconic architecture started flooding the major Chinese cities. Western starchitects, and their eastern counterparts, started proposing (and quite a bit of them got realized) iconic structures for Beijing, Shanghai and other cities across the country. This set the stage for a new face for the country. Looking back at the past decade, you can ask yourself what came from all those proposals. That was the premise for Beautified China I (published in 2017). Now, with this 2nd series, Beautified China II, there is a deeper look at what happened in those ‘other’ cities spread across the mainland.  Beautified China II presents a series of 20 minimalist photos, taken over the past 8 years, across 12 cities, highlighting China’s iconic architecture building boom.

▼广州塔，2010年竣工由荷兰信基建筑事务所设计；Canton Tower completed in 2010, Guangzhou by Information Based Architecture

▼上海虹口SOHO，2015年竣工，由隈研吾建筑都市设计事务所设计；Hongkou SOHO completed in 2015, Shanghai by Kengo Kuma architects

▼南宁大剧院，2018年竣工，由GMP建筑师事务所设计；Nanning Grand Theater completed in 2018, Nanning by GMP Architekten

▼哈尔滨大剧院，2015年竣工，由MAD建筑事务所设计；Harbin Grand Theater completed in 2015, Harbin by MAD architects

关注中国的“其他”城市
Focus on China’s ‘other’ cities

曾几何时，北京或上海是中国的主要入口。随着时间的推移，中国开放了，展现了这个巨大国家的规模和深度。北京或上海成为人们对中国第一印象的机会越来越少了。这个机会被其他中国城市夺走了。好像每周都有一条新的直飞航线将中国第一阶梯和第二阶梯的城市连接到美国和欧洲。而这也就使得这些二线城市的居民变得更加富裕，远远超过了西方城市的居民。这些城市需要一个身份，一个面孔，一个代表，一个商标。标志性建筑能做到这一切吗? 剧院、体育场、学校和办公大楼都开始规划建成。建筑确实有助于提高生活水平，对吗?

在中国的这些年里，我有机会参观了全国的许多城市。2010年，当我第一次去东部的时候，我只认识了屈指可数的几个中国城市(我能概括并希望我不是当时唯一的一个吗?)现在人们更熟悉了，可以在中国地图上找到很多城市。建筑在世界地图上的建立起了作用吗? 当我前往第1、2、3阶梯的各个城市时，我捕捉到了更美的中国II中主要建筑的形态和结构。这一系列照片突出了中国其他城市的标志性建筑。这些城市有：重庆(2)、广州(2)、南宁(1)、哈尔滨(1)、成都(1)、北京(1)、北海(1)、天津(1)、宁波(1)、香港(1)、苏州(1)、上海(7)。

▼上海三塔办公楼，2015年竣工，由GMP建筑师事务所设计；3 Cubes completed in 2015, Shanghai by GMP Architekten

▼成都来福士广场，2012年竣工，由Steven Holl建筑事务所设计；Sliced Porosity Block completed in 2012, Chengdu by Steven Holl Architects

There was a time when Beijing or Shanghai was the major entry points to China. As time progressed China opened up, revealing the scale and depth of this enormous country. The chance that Beijing or Shanghai will be your first impression of China is getting less and less. That opportunity is taken away by other Chinese cities. It feels like, every week there is a new direct flight route announced connecting US/Europe non-stop with 1st and 2nd tier cities. And that makes total sense as those 2nd tier cities citizens become more affluent and far outnumber citizens of western cities. Those cities needed an identity, a face, a representation, a trademark. Can iconic architecture be all of that? Theaters, stadiums, school and office towers were planned and realized. Architecture does contribute to raising living standards right?

Throughout the years in China, I had the opportunity to visit many cities across the country. When first setting out east in 2010, I only knew a handful of Chinese cities (can I generalize and hope that I wasn’t the only one back then?) nowadays people are more familiar and can pinpoint a variety of cities on the Chinese map. Has architecture played a role in establishing those cities on the world map? As I travelled to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd tier cities, I captured significant shapes and structures that form the main body of Beautified China II. The series of photos highlight iconic architecture in the ‘other’ Chinese cities. Those cities are: Chongqing (2), Guangzhou (2), Nanning (1), Harbin (1), Chengdu (1), Beijing (1), Beihai (1), Tianjin (1), Ningbo (1), Hong Kong (1), Suzhou (1), Shanghai (7)。

▼国泰艺术中心，2013年竣工，由中国建筑设计研究院设计；Guotai Arts Center completed in 2013 by China Architecture Design & Research Group

▼水立方，2008年竣工，由PTW建筑事务所设计；National Aquatics Center completed in 2008 by PTW Architects

▼北海假山住宅，2016年竣工，由MAD建筑事务所设计；Fake Hills completed in 2016, Beihai by MAD Architects

▼天津现代城市与工业博物馆，2018年竣工，由Bernard Tschumi设计；Tianjin Exploratorium completed in 2018 by Bernard Tschumi

▼广东博物馆，2010年竣工，由Rocco Design设计；Guangdong Museum completed in 2010 by Rocco Design

▼上海漕河泾新洲大楼，2018年竣工，由GMP建筑师事务所设计；Xinzhou Mansion completed in 2018, Shanghai by GMP Architekten

▼宁波Gateway大楼，2017年竣工，由Ningbo GRSH+P罗杰斯建筑事务设计；Ningbo Gateway completed in 2017 by RSH + P

一场关于形状、颜色和图案的游戏
A Game Of Shapes, Colours and Patterns

形状、颜色和图案，这些是每个建筑师每天都要处理的元素，在这个摄影系列中占据了前景。这20张图片不但显示了不同造型和形状之间的强烈对比，更凸显出不同城市之间的区别。我们能剖析适合特定城市的不同风格吗?各个建筑物以不同的方式而突显出来，有的是因为对颜色的强烈使用（国泰艺术中心），有的是因为流动的造型（哈尔滨大剧院），有的是因为其象征性（苏州东方之门），还有的是因为相似性（北海假山住宅项目）。每一种设计都有特定的因素来定义它的语言，让建筑和人们一起创造回忆。每一个建筑与其周围环境都缺乏联系，只剩下纯粹的形状。这让我，作为一名建筑师，去学习和更好地理解使建筑成为其样子的这些设计。更美的中国是一个正在进行的过程，它是对中国建筑和其状态更新的收藏。对我来说，更美的中国是我作为建筑师和摄影师的职业生涯的缩影。

历史你还记得10年前的历史吗?当时，每一个与建筑有关的网站都在源源不断地发布着中国的标志性建筑的提案。所有的“明星设计师”(我们还在用这个词吗?)都在计划着更大胆的设计。曾几何时，每个中国城市都在争夺“扎哈”。这将保证城市成为地图上的一个点。这并不一定是毕尔巴鄂式的影响，可能是更缓和的一个版本吧。但这将给这座城市带来一个存在的理由。现在，10年过去了，一些标志性的建筑正在建设中。让我们来看看这一切之后会发生什么吧。

系列所谓的标志性建筑就是为了引人注目。然而，现实却不同。有的在普通的高楼大厦之间挤来挤去，有的因为雾霾根本就难以引人注意。有时，建筑被规划为一个新城市的中心，或者一个新的城市规划的扩展。对于要通过周边环境分析来设计的建筑师来说，他们能参考使用的周围环境很有限，从而在可操作的限制下产生了一定的自由度。这一系列的照片把背景抹去了，只剩下一个物体。一个净化过的对象。它到底是不是建筑，还是应该被视为一个超大的产品?这是“美化的中国”的一次尝试，让我们有机会获得关于“建成标志性建筑之后是什么”这个话题的最新发展。

现在大多数“明星建筑师”都有机会建造、或者实现他们最疯狂的梦想。这些梦想中的一些成为了地标性建筑：例如，由Rem Koolhaas和Ole Scheeren设计的CCTV总部，或者由Herzog和de Meuron设计的鸟巢/国家体育场。另一些人则把郊区变成了一个新的中心，或者自己建立了一个新的城市。这一标志性建筑在形状、价格或位置上引发了很多争议。有一件事是肯定的，标志性建筑可以促进讨论的开始并创造回忆。这难道不是其全部的意图吗？如今，相比于某座古庙所在的城市，建筑师或游客一般都更了解Steven Holl或Zaha Hadid的新楼所在的那个城市。这是成功还是肤浅?

背景我的旅程始于2010年，上海在2010年世博会期间向世界展示了中国是怎么办事儿的。那时我刚以建筑师的身份毕业。我想，是时候去看看这些标志性建筑了。我开始作为一个建筑师新秀探索中国。7年以后的现在，我仍然在探索和体验新事物。在这段旅程的第1年，我花了很多时间寻找这些图标，但是对这些就在我面前的建筑并没有理解多少。多年以后，我有了更深的理解，能更好地明白为什么事情是这样做的。什么造就了成功，什么会造成灾难？7年过去了，但我仍然对去新地方或重温老地方感到兴奋，就像我到北京的第一天一样。在中国的设计和建造的背景，让我可以更深入的探索这个城市。

▼香港戏曲剧院，2017年竣工，由Bing Thoms设计；Xiqu Theatre completed in 2017, Hongkong by Bing Thoms

▼上海凌空SOHO，2014年竣工，由Zaha Hadid建筑事务所设计；Sky SOHO completed in 2014, Shanghai by Zaha Hadid

▼上海自然历史博物馆，2015年竣工，由Perkins+Will建筑事务所设计；Natural History Museum completed in 2015, Shanghai by Perkins+Will

The History Do you remember a good decade ago, when every architecture related website posted proposal after proposal of iconic architecture to be build in China? All the ‘starchitects’ (do we still use that term?) were planning to build their bold designs.There was a time when every Chinese city was vying for a ‘Zaha’. This would guarantee the city to become a dot on the map. Not necessarily the known Bilbao effect, a bit more toned down version of that. But it would give the city a raison d’être. Now 10 years later, some of this iconic architecture is build. Lets have a look at how all of this turned out?

The Series This iconic architecture aims to stand out for sure. However, the reality shows differently. Sometimes squeezed between generic high-rises, sometimes not noticeable at all due to smog. At times, the architecture is planned as a centerpiece for a new city, or a new planned extension of the city. With little to work with for ‘context analysis’ architects have a sort of free play, with manipulatable restrictions. This series of photographs takes the context away, so all that is left is an object. A purified object. Is it still architecture, or should it rather be seen as oversized product? This is an attempt at a “Beautified China”. A chance to get a status update of what exactly came from this.

The Status Now Most ‘starchitects’ had their chance to build, or to fulfill their wildest dreams. Some of them became landmarks: CCTV headquarters by Rem Koolhaas and Ole Scheeren or the Bird’s Nest/National Stadium by Herzog and de Meuron for example. Others have turned a suburb into a new center, or have established a new city on its own. The iconic architecture evokes a lot of controversy on shape/price or location. One thing is for sure: iconic architecture starts discussions and creates memories. And isn’t that what the whole intention was? Nowadays architects or visitors in general know better where that new Steven Holl or Zaha Hadid is in a city than where that ancient temple is located. Can this be called success or just superficiality?

The Background My journey started in 2010, the year Shanghai was showing the world how things are done during the 2010 World Expo. I had just graduated as an architect. Good time to go see all these iconic structure, I thought. I started exploring China as an architect rookie, now 7 years later I am still exploring and experiencing new things. While year 1 of this journey was spent searching for these icons, understanding not more than what was there right in front of me. Years later, a deeper understanding was developed and allows me to better understand why things were done the way they were done. What created success, what was a recipe for disaster? The 7 years flew by, but I’m still as excited about going to new places or revisiting ‘old’ places as that first day in the big capital Beijing. With the background of designing and building in China, I can explore the city on a deeper level.

▼苏州东方之门，2015年竣工，由RMJM建筑事务所设计；The Gate to the East completed in 2015, Suzhou by RMJM

▼上海现代艺术美术馆，2017年竣工，由大舍建筑事务所设计；Museum of Modern Art completed in 2017, Shanghai by Atelier Deshaus

▼上海虹桥机场商务园一期工程花瓣楼，2015年竣工，由MVRDV建筑事务所设计；Hongqiao Flower completed in 2015, Shanghai by MVRDV

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