1950s "Big Roof Controversy"

• Liang Sicheng, an architect and historian of Chinese architecture who idealized and was responsible for re-inventing the architectural imaginary of 'old China', described the 1950s Soviet-inspired, 'sinified' architectural style, big roofs with large, overhanging eaves crowning a Soviet-style building, as:

• "Western suits with Chinese skullcaps"

National architecture Beijing Friendship Hotel built in 1954 to house Soviet 'experts'

	Moscow State University Beijing Opera House
	• Even this limited sinification of
	modern buildings was condemned,
	in 1955, as wasteful; an economic
	argument

• He favoured a Chinese • Liang Sicheng became the main target of a political campaign against 'national style' Tsinghua/Qinghua University, Main Building, 1968

Lack of funds led to the tower in the original plans being reduced to a flat roof • AKA the National Grand Theatre, • AKA The Egg, • Architect: Paul

Andreu The Egg Centenary Opera House Reopened in Beijing

  We intend to build a modern, professional venue like those on Broadway in the United States, where regular shows are offered all year round, and high-end performances can also take place..."

	June 27 saw the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the reopening of a hundred-year-old opera house "Guangde Theatre" meaning 'wide virtue'
	• Founded in 1796, Guangde Theatre is one of the oldest theatres surviving in Beijing...

• 27 JUNE 2001

• Guangde teahouse/theatre • 23 APRIL, 2007 • Beijing's oldest opera theater built during the Ming Dynasty --is to be crushed under the onslaught of Beijing's remorseless bulldozers. • City officials intend to replace the unsafe ancient structure with a new, state-of-the-art facility somewhere close by. • "

Beijing's oldest theater to be reduced to rubble Tianjin Ancient Culture Street (1986) Grand View Garden (Daguanyuan) -1986 Film set -Theme Park Beijing Xuanwu District, southwest Beijing

	• a replica of Daguanyuan -home of imperial family described in the Chinese novel:
	• Dream of the Red
	Mansion
	• by Qing Dynasty writer Cao Xueqin (17l5-l763).