The unique "Fangcaodi"

Fangcaodi was originally a place name, located in the west of Chaoyang District, Beijing. In the 22nd year of the Republic of China (1933), the name Fangcaodi was already included in the "Beiping Place Names Dictionary". According to the Mingdian: This place is called because of the grass. As a result, the spring scenery of luxuriant grass and willows emerged before my eyes, and what I yearned for even more was the rise of a new Beijing landmark building with green humanities and green technology concepts on this land. ——Beijing Parkview Green Grassland (hereinafter referred to as "Greenfield Green").

Panoramic view of Beijing Parkview Green Grassland

It was in the winter of 2012 that I first saw Parkview Green Grassland. Stand tall in front of the world. Now, when I step into the "Fangcaodi" again, I feel like I'm in a cave.

Integration of architecture and art

"Fangcaodi" is the first large-scale project invested and constructed by Hong Kong Parkview Group in mainland China, with a total area of ??200,000 square meters. An innovative building integrating top office buildings, fashionable shopping malls, art centers and boutique hotels. "Fangcaodi" cleverly connects four tower buildings into one through a pyramid-like shape. Its unique shape, although sacrificing a certain amount of space and increasing construction costs, can ensure the multi-story old residential areas around "Fangcaodi" The building's sunshine time is reduced by 30% compared to the same building group, so that it can be naturally integrated with the surrounding environment and achieve a harmonious coexistence between the building and the environment. This is the green humanistic concept it embodies.

"Fangcaodi" innovatively designed the first 236-meter-long pedestrian bridge in China. It spans between the building complexes and provides customers with a bird's-eye view of each storefront and public park. *The square provides a wide space and allows people to walk between the four buildings more conveniently.

Under the protection of the outer cover, the building composed of four steel frame structures has the ability to adjust the micro-climate, allowing people to experience the breeze as if they are in nature, providing a pleasant environment for people who linger. Create a pleasant indoor microclimate, allowing you to easily enjoy the spring-like indoor gardens, sun courtyards and spacious and elegant atrium squares all year round, truly realizing "you don't need to focus on the green color, the fresh and clean air will already make you feel comfortable all over." "Cool", this is the green technology concept it embodies.

In Beijing, I have been to many large-scale one-stop leisure, entertainment, and shopping venues. "Fangcaodi" is unique in integrating artworks with profound cultural heritage into the soul of the building. The more than 40 Dali sculptures placed in "Fangcaodi" are one of the richest collections of genuine Dali works in the world. They are integrated with the architecture and exude the unique temperament of this building.

Salvador Dali (1904-1989) was a famous Spanish Catalan painter and a master of Surrealism in the 20th century. His sculptures also embody his grotesque and avant-garde style. Talent is evident. Dali liked to represent the most unreal objects and situations in the most realistic way, and he created images of an era. Together with Picasso and Matisse, he is considered the three most representative painters of the 20th century.

The sense of integration of architecture and art starts from the proximity to "Fangcaodi". When I set foot on the land around "Fangcaodi", sculptures of different shapes came into view. They seemed to be calling me, rushing to tell me their stories, which made me have to stop and read in front of them.

Exquisiteness and culture are everywhere

When I walked into "Fangcaodi", I was greeted by exquisiteness and culture everywhere. The decoration space design of all stores has a unique style. Even if you are not shopping, you can appreciate the culture of each brand, broaden your horizons and enrich your product knowledge.

This is an optical store called "INMIX Yinmi". It is said to be a fashion glasses brand co-founded by best-selling writer Li Ming and designer Wang Sheng*** born in the 1980s. What I see here is not rows of counters and rows of glasses on shelves, but more artistic creativity with the appeal of modern abstraction.

I remember that when he came to "Fangcaodi" in the early winter of 2012, he had just opened his shop, and there were not many merchants settled there, and some shops were in the process of attracting investment.

I strolled through a quiet space with sparse traffic, relieving myself from the fatigue caused by a week's work, and enjoying the comfort of a slow life that is rare in a big city. As I walked, a strong aroma of coffee wafted towards my face. Following the aroma, I arrived at the Illy Cafe located in the middle of the third floor.

At that time, the store was empty with only two or three customers, so I sat down at the seat at the door and took the menu, but I didn’t know which one to order. To be honest, I only know a little bit about coffee culture. When I go to a coffee shop for business, I usually order latte, cappuccino, and mocha. The difference is that espresso is added with milk or milk foam, and chocolate. The sauces and other ingredients are different. Today is to enjoy life, so of course you have to taste them carefully.

"Hello! I am the store manager here, and I am honored to serve you! What do you need?"

"Oh, thank you! Please recommend one for me. Coffee bar"

"It's afternoon now, would you like a cup of 'Italian Macchiato'?"

"Okay, thank you!"

This was an elegant and handsome young man. Seeing that he was not busy, I briefly chatted with him. He introduced to me: "Italians like to drink cappuccino in the morning. In the afternoon, a richer and slightly sweet concentrated macchiato is a good refreshing drink. For those who like cappuccino If the taste is too light and the milky flavor is too strong, the Concentrated Macchiato is a perfect combination drink."

He also said: "If you have time, you can also look at the aisles later. Go to the illy brand’s coffee culture exhibition to learn about illy’s brand culture and coffee knowledge.”

Logo story: In 1996, the well-known modern artist James Rosenquist re-created illy coffee into the millennium. The new image uses a simple and bold white word "illy" in a red square. The eye-catching new trademark means that illy will welcome the new era with an updated concept.

I don’t know whether it was because I was tired from walking, or I listened to the store manager’s introduction and then sipped it carefully. I felt that the coffee that day was more fragrant than usual, and I even drank the bottom of the cup.

Came here again after six years and it was already packed. The store has added services. Children can also grab coffee beans and play a coffee delivery game, or experience the coffee making process with their own hands.

The Smile of an Old Friend

The 10th floor of "Fangcaodi" is the "Beijing Parkview Contemporary Art Museum". I took the sightseeing elevator straight up and overlooked the scenery on each floor. The exhibition in the art museum is "Art and Mission: Huang Jianhua 1952-2017", exhibition time: November 26, 2018 - March 15, 2019.

Before this, I just liked the environment of "Yerba Buena" and had never paid attention to the people or companies related to it. Only when I came here did I know that this epoch-making new landmark building in Beijing is actually closely related to a deceased old man!

This old man’s name is Huang Jianhua. He is the former chairman of the board of directors of Parkview Group in Hong Kong. He is known as the father of “Fangcaodi” and the founder of “Beijing Parkview Contemporary Art Museum”. This exhibition is specially held to commemorate the first anniversary of Mr. Huang Jianhua's death and pay tribute to his life achievements.

I wandered in the exhibition hall, admiring the photos and images. Mr. Huang Jianhua is a tall man with flowing white hair and an amiable old naughty image. He always has a beautiful smile on his face. This descendant of China, who was born in Hong Kong, grew up in Taiwan, studied in the United Kingdom, and was influenced by multiculturalism, had a long-lasting innocence and a heart to serve the country. After he took charge of the Parkview business empire, he returned to the motherland without hesitation and founded the Hong Kong Parkview Group's first investment project in mainland China - "Fangcaodi".

Mr. Huang Jianhua is not only a real estate tycoon, but also a pure collector. It is purely because he practices the concept of "collecting but not hiding" and creatively integrates his collection into the commercial space and living space he created. This open form of art display allows the public to experience and experience things at close range. Share the beauty of art.

I stopped in front of the big screen and watched the "Sharks and Humans-Protecting Sharks" art theme exhibition co-sponsored by Parkview Group, Parkview Sports and Wild Rescue. A large-scale international art tour started in 2014, calling on the public to protect sharks and refuse to eat shark fins. The first stop was at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, the second stop was held at the Ekaterina Cultural Foundation in Moscow, and the third stop was at the National Museum of China. (August 21, 2015), the fourth stop was at the Parkview Museum of Contemporary Art in Singapore, and the fifth stop was invited to exhibit at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum on the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.

Mr. Huang Jianhua's career is in full swing. His architectural art can be seen all over the world, and there are still many famous projects that have not yet been completed.

“The passing is like a man, and he never gives up day and night.” As the chairman of Parkview Group, Mr. Huang Jianhua has made great contributions to the growth and development of the group, and has worked hard for the group’s growth and development. This has laid a solid foundation for the group's long-term future development.

Mr. Huang Jianhua fixed his life at that moment. He left many artistic monuments to the world and an eternal smile to the world!

I will remember the splendid buildings with his presence and his smile!

"Fangcaidu" is always new to watch. I like "Fangcaidu"!