Page 23 - link magazine

Problem for the planners

How Chinese should a Pagoda right balance has been struck. building is being built around a
be, if it is to be built in this "It's a building that will be steel frame, its external walls will
country? appreciated by people as being be timber clad and painted in
The question had to be answered in a 'Chinese style.' Cost, traditional Chinese colours of
by Thamesdown Council's construction methods and safety reds, greens and yellow. The roof
Planning Committee when it requirements would not have will also be ornamented with
considered the application to build made an exact copy desirable. dragon, lions, fish and other
a large Chinese restaurant next "Our brief was to provide the animals that are usually found
toPeatmoorLagoon in June1987. external shell and to give it a decorating buildings in the Orient.
The question will soon be particular appearance. The These will imported from Hong
answered when The Chinese developers will be fitting out the Kong, whilst hand painted
Experience opens in late April. facilities and I expect the internal decorative panels forming a
The Committee was concerned atmosphere will give visitors an continuous frieze around the
that the prominentand important authentic 'Chinese Experience'." walls, will come from Taiwan.
site should ha ye the right building Finding the right building A small open sided pagoda, to
on it and asked the developers materials has provided Wyvern be placed on an island opposite
and architects to make the Partnership with an interesting the main building will also be
building recognisably Chinese to search. "No one in this country imported, but as a complete,
give astrong impact at the eastern makes coloured, glazed roof tiles fibreglass unit.
end of the lake. with the right shape, so we have 'The Chinese Experience' will
Alan Watson, a partner with the had to look overseas," said Mr. join the other unusual buildings
Swindon firm Wyvern Partnership Watson. "We found a supplier in dotted around West Swindon.
which also designed, by contrast, France, but we have finallysettled Unlike the others, this one will
Holy Trinity Church at Shaw on bringing them in from Japan." bring a taste of a different culture
Village Centre, believes that the Although the pagoda style into our midst.