Main author
Michael BrooksCCTV Headquarters
See the Unusual building design of the week series here.
Visible from most of Beijing, China Central Television (CCTV) Headquarters is 44-storey skyscraper that accommodates TV studios, offices and broadcasting facilities. Designed by architects Rem Koolhaas and Ole Scheeren of OMA, the aim was to reinvent the traditional skyscraper as a loop rising from a platform, two towers, both reaching 234 m (768 ft), lean in towards each other and merge in a perpendicular 75 m cantilever with an open centre.
The building presented a structural challenge as it is located in a seismic zone. The forces that the building is subject to have been made explicit on its exterior by a web of diagonal structural members.
Construction work began in 2004, but there were delays due to fire, and the completion date was pushed back to 2012. It was quickly given the nickname ‘big pants’ as it resembles a pair of trousers.
It was awarded the 2013 Best Tall Building Worldwide prize by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. However, in 2014, the Chinese president Xi Jinping called for an end to the proliferation of ‘weird architecture’ across China.
Coming to the building’s defence Rem Koolhaas said it “…is a building that introduces new ways of conceptualising, liberating and realizing structure that did not exist in China before, and of which I’m sure Chinese culture and Chinese architecture will benefit.”
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Beijing National Stadium.
- Building of the week series.
- Calakmul Corporate Building, Mexico.
- Fuji TV Building, Tokyo.
- Gate to the East.
- Gentle Genius.
- Guangzhou Circle.
- Habitat 67.
- Ministry of Transportation Building, Georgia.
- Nakagin Capsule Tower.
- National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing.
- Phoenix International Media Center, Beijing.
- Ryugyong Hotel, North Korea.
- Shanghai Tower.
- Teapot building.
- The Big Basket.
- Unusual building design of the week.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Building Safety Wiki Interviews
Chief executive of the British Woodworking Federation.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.