 |
Theatre Project Not Suspended
The Proprietor's Committee for the National Grand Theatre said yesterday the project has not been suspended, despite several recent media reports to the contrary.
"We are successfully wrapping up site preparation work for the construction of the theatre," said committee spokesman Wang Zhengming.
"We expect to start building the theatre when (French architect Paul) Andreu finishes his revised design and has it approved. Andreu is busily improving his design in Paris."
Wang branded as "nonsense" reports that said construction of the theatre's water-drop-like design was halted after Chinese scholars and architects signed petitions criticizing the Andreu's design.
Forty-six academics and more than 100 architects reportedly have petitioned the Chinese Government to stop construction of the theatre.
The theatre's cost, size, fire safety and earthquake resistance have been criticized.
Wang said it was inappropriate for critics to say that Andreu would go over budget, estimated at more than 2.6 billion yuan (US$314 million), and would need a larger area for his design. "The fact is he is almost there after countless revisions," Wang said.
The design of the theatre has been deemed earthquake-resistant by the State Seismological Bureau, and the structure's fire-control facility has also been approved, Wang said.
Wang said the committee has no reason to abandon a design that has won a "strict and justified international bidding, and that has the support of the majority of the appraisal committee, deputies of the National People's Congress, and members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
"We have never quit explaining the design to as many people as possible," said a Tianjin-based architect with the Chinese Academy of Sciences who declined to be identified expressed support to Andreu's design.
"I don't want this to become a heated public dispute, for it is too early. After all, there still has to be a final demonstration of the design (by Andreu), " said the architect.
In This Section
|