Architecture in China never ceases to amaze us—case in point—the REN Building. Copenhagen’s Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) proposed this eye-catching design over a year ago to coincide with Shanghai’s “Better City, Better Life” 2010 World Expo . The building takes its form from the Chinese character for person 人 (”ren”) and combines two buildings (one symbolic of mind and the other symbolic of body). We love the poetic inspiration that reflects both site and cultural sensitivity.

“The first building, emerging from the water, is devoted to the activities of the body, and houses the sports and water culture center. The second building emerging from land, is devoted to the spirit and enlightenment, and houses the conference center and meeting facilities. The two buildings meet in a 1000 room hotel, a building for living.”

It’ll be exciting to see if the plans for the project are approved. Check out more views and an animated fly-through of the project below.

+ REN BUILDING

哥本哈根的 Bjarke Ingels 小组 提出人字型概念双子楼计划，其主题契合2010上海世博会的主题”城市，让生活更美好“。大厦使用汉字“人”作为创意灵感，两座大厦（分别象征大脑与躯体）远处看很巧妙地组合在一起，其中建立体育馆和水上运动场所的子楼立足于水面，设置会议中心的子楼则立足于陆地，一旦计划中标获批准建造，将会是又一人类奇观。