Supermodel

At 610 metres, the TV Tower in Guangzhou designed by the Dutch architects Mark Hemel and Barbara Kuit is one of the world's tallest buildings. Construction of this spectacular tower, which is now nearing completion, was exceptionally complex owing to its free form, tremendous height and welter of facilities including observation decks, conference rooms, shops and cinemas. Additionally, the location requires that it should be able to withstand earthquakes and typhoons. Existing legislation and working methods failed to satisfy a building of this size and height. The chosen methodology, which was developed while construction proceeded, can be cited as an example of how to handle new projects of this megascale. Supermodel reports at length on the project's origins, history, design and construction as well as the work situation in China, which seems increasingly to act as an incubator for experimental architecture.