The GuangZhou Gymnasium: 2010

Years in construction: 1998-2001

Finished by: 2001

Architectural style: "to relate in an organic way to echo the curves of the hills." (Paul Andreu)

Function: Gymnasium Centre

Prime Contractor: Pearl River Enterprises Group

Location: Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

Interesting concept: three shell-shaped buildings have a semi-transparent, white colored roof designed to ensure quality uniform lighting during the day

Area: 100,000 square meters on 8 hectars located in an 18 hectar natural park. In addition to the complex covering 100,000 square meters there are parking lots, an office building, a restaurant and an athletes village designed by another group of architects.

Architect's quick biography: Paul Andreu born 10 July 1938, in Bordeaux Caudéran.

Former pupil of the Ecole Polytéchnique, graduated in 1958. Chief Engineer of Ponts et Chaussées in 1963 and Awarded Government’s Architect Diploma

in 1968.

Officer of the French Legion of Honour Grand Officer of the French National Order of Merit Commander of the French Order of Arts and Letters. Member of the French Academy of Architecture Member of the French Academy of Air and Space.

Concept of the project according to the architect:

"We wanted the hill to remain the key element of this project so we housed the different facilities in three buildings, similar in shape but of different sizes, that relate in an organic way to echo the curves of the hills. We positioned the outside ceremonial area, delimited by the buildings and the trees, in the spot with the most beautiful view of one of the valleys that cuts through the hills"