Dashila is a famous hutong in Beijing. The traditional narrow alley was a famous business street. Now it has become the microcosm of the old time of Beijing, and the representative of fashion and creation. Featuring Chinese and western architecture, it witnessed Beijing's history and development. This year, Dashila will represent Chinese architecture to get on the stage in Venice.

Beijing Design Week, along with Italian architectural design company DONTSTOP Studio, will take the Dashila project to promote Chinese architecture in the world’s top architecture show in Venice. The organizer believes that the project will convey the ideas and development of a Chinese city to the world.

The China City Pavilion founded and operated by Beijing Design Week and DONTSTOP Studio will be presented during the 2014 Venice Architecture Biennale. With the theme "Pass Through • Beijing", the Dashila project will debut in the pavillion.

Chinese contemporary architecture to get on the stage in Venice

Venice Architecture Biennale is more than a century old, and its architecture section was established in 1980. In the past 30 years, Venice Architecture Biennale has become the biggest and most glamorous architecture show worldwide.

"The 14th International Architecture Exhibition will be held June 7th to November 23rd of 2014 at the Giardini and Arsenale venues. 100-year-old Venice Architecture Biennale is one of the most important art shows in Europe, and is dubbed as 'Olympics in art'", said Alberto Bradanini, Italy's ambassador to China. He said that the launch of the China City Section signifies that contemporary Chinese architectural art has officially stepped onto the stage of the Venice Biennale. Meanwhile, it will also encourage more cities in China to participate in the 2015 Venice Expo, which is linked to the 2015 Milan Expo.

Zeng Hui, vice dirctor of Beijing Design Week Organizing Committee, said that: "China City Pavilion along with 'Pass Through • Beijing' project will show the ideas and process of urban transition, so that it will make the conversation stride over between Venice and Chinese cities".

Pass through a centurial city development to seek a way out

Dashila was Beijing's most prosperous commercial street with 500-year-old history. As one of the areas rich in historical and cultural resources in Beijing, it also reflects the city's development and changes.

Zeng said: "As the first city to exhibit in the China City Pavilion, Beijing is especially representative in its urban culture, architectural features, and modern development. The Dashila project, run by the Xicheng district government and Beijing Design Week, is undoubtedly our benchmark case for urban revitalization and cultural protection. This project not only protects the intangible urban heritages, but also infuses new energy into the community."

"The combination of old streets and new design gave tourists a unique experience, and provided a new way to activate a historic cultural area subsequently," said Wang Zhizhong, deputy general director of Dashila Liulichang Construction & Management Department, "Dashila project aims to rejuvenate an old street. I hope this project will offer some positive thinking toward urban development and cultural renaissance."