Japanese architect Tadao Ando is polishing his design of a memorial building for Tongji University based in Shanghai, the largest metropolis in China.

 

This will be his first design proposal for a Chinese office building.

 

Tadao Ando, who is at the pinnacle of success in his own country, has accepted the invitation of Tongji University as an honorary professor.

 

Construction of the 100-meter-tall office building, named "Shanghai International Design Center," is scheduled to be launched next year and will be finished in May, 2007 to mark the centennial celebration of this prestigious Chinese university.

 

The university and the local government will jointly raise 150 million yuan (US$18.75 million) for the project.

 

The model of the building, with a glass outward appearance, looks like a combination of geometric solid. It is on display at an exhibition showing Ando's architectural works held in Shanghai.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 31, 2005)