Conflict, not a value

Your former designs, such as the Charles de Gaulle Airport, are always located on empty land, far from the city. However, this time, the location is totally different; the building lies right in the center of a nation's capital. So what do you think is the difference between the two types of design?

Andreu: There is an enormous difference. I mean, of course, there are buildings all around, and there's the town fabric. Anything you do creates a relationship with something around it. We have to take care of many more things. We also have to take care of how you see the town, how you see the building from the town, but also how you see the town from the building. The one good reason for the higher stages was the view of the Forbidden City. There are few places you have a bad view on the town. We use both of the relationships.


Paul Andreu, chief designer of China's National Grand Theater

You once explained that your design creates continuity and discontinuity, but will never cause conflict. What do you think of the concept of this building?

Andreu: I see no sense in creating conflict anywhere. I don't regard conflict as a value.

There are some comments on your works that excellent designs but high costs of maintaining work of the building. So what do you think of that?

Andreu: A big building with many facilities and functions - it does have costs. There is always a fee for maintenance. It always costs money. People are surprised by the cost, but it's a fact: if you want a clean building, it costs money. I think in my building...like in airports, you pay a lot of attention to this. I'm used to seeing what material will not require maintenance.


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