.. For architects, China is the land of dreams. The construction statistics tantalize. The Chinese consume 54.7 percent of the concrete and 36.1 percent of the steel produced in the world, .. But Herzog & de Meuron .. has more work than it can handle. What attracted the [Swiss] firm's leaders to China is an openness to audacious projects, which they attribute to the lack of timidity and inhibition in the people there.
"They are so fresh in their mind," Herzog says. "They have the most radical things in their tradition, the most amazing faience and perforated jades and scholar's rocks. Everyone is encouraged to do their most stupid and extravagant designs there. ...   more »