Architect behind Hengqin cultural landmark dies at 80

Paul Andreu, the iconic French architect best known for airport designs, died on Oct 11 local time at age 80. Andreu came to Zhuhai in 2017 and led the design of Tianmu Qin'an International Cultural Arts Center in Hengqin New Area.

Born in 1938 in Bordeaux, Andreu was noted for his scientific and artistic visions. His signature works include the Charles de Gaulle, Kansai International, and Brunei International airports, plus the Grande Arche monument in Paris's La Defense District (as an associate of Johann Ottovon Spreckelsen).

Andreu was also involved in several prestigious projects in China such as Shanghai Pudong International Airport, the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Shanghai Oriental Arts Center, and Sanya Phoenix International Airport.

The architect went on a field trip to Hengqin on May 11, 2017 and won the contract to design the Tianmu Qin'an International Cultural Arts Center along with Coldefy & Associates Architects Urban Planners (CAAU).

The team used the design scheme of "Hengqin Jade" to highlight the purity of the future world-class, high-quality international cultural and arts architectural landmark. Concrete design is currently under way.