The transformation of China in the past three decades has been nothing short of spectacular. Now a cultural and economic player on the world stage, its rise has also given air to a new generation of architects and interior designers. China previously looked to the West for architectural references, today they are moulding a new design expression which fuses centuries of local tradition with idealistic design. House of the Dragon presents the homegrown talent shaping this new aesthetic that is bound by the surrounding environment. Adopting new methods and techniques, they are pushing design possibilities and influencing the watching world. From cultural institutions to cityscapes, explore the tantalizing world of Chinese architecture and get a window into the world of tomorrow.

Great Leap Forward: Contemporary Architecture in China The past five years have seen a revolution in Chinese architecture - the emergence of independent designers, and a number of new stars - and above all new and interesting buildings that are not the product of direct Western influence. These developments have laid the groundwork for an indigenous modernity that differentiates itself from outside schools as well as eschewing the temptation to put a "Chinese-style" roof on ordinary office blocks. The fact that Beijing has been chosen to host the 2008 Summer Olympic Games has been more than a catalyst for the development of high-quality contemporary architecture in China. Major foreign firms like OMA/Rem Koolhaas or Herzog & de Meuron are participating in the design of buildings that will have functions during the Games, but Chinese architects, too, have been mobilized in this massive effort to prepare the country for an unprecedented level of world-wide attention. Architects featured: Atelier Deshaus, FCJZ Atelier Feichang Jianzhu, AZL Atelier Zhanglei, EDGE Design Institute, Fake Design, Herzog & de Meuron, HHF Architects, Arata Isozaki, Jiakun Architects, Kengo Kuma, Li Xiaodong Atelier, MAD, MADA s.p.a.m., Michael Maltzan, Toshiko Mori, NODE – Architecture, OMA/Rem Koolhaas, Pei Zhu, URBANUS Architecture & Design, Wang Hui, Zhu Xiaofeng/Scenic Architecture TASCHEN's new architecture series brings a unique perspective to world architecture, highlighting architectural trends by country. Each book features 15 to 20 architects - from the firmly established to the up-and-coming - with the focus on how they have contributed to very recent architecture in the chosen nation. Entries include contact information and short biographies in addition to copiously illustrated descriptions of the architects' or firms' most significant recent projects. Crossing the globe from country to country, this new series celebrates the richly hued architectural personality of each nation featured. About the author: Philip Jodidio studied art history and economics at Harvard, and edited Connaissance des Arts for over 20 years. His books include TASCHEN's Architecture Now! series, Building a New Millennium, and monographs on Tadao Ando, Norman Foster, Richard Meier, Jean Nouvel, and Zaha Hadid. He is internationally renowned as one of the most popular writers on the subject of architecture. Издание на английском, французском и немецком языках.

Appearing on the world stage with the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing, China has intrigued Westerners since the days of Marco Polo. French journalist Christina Lionnet takes us on an exciting journey through this vast and varied land. With a clear sensibility, Lionnet's photographs offer a painterly exploration of the paradoxes and complexities of the Chinese landscape as well as its soul. Her lens captures a dazzling array of century-spanning architecture, intriguing peoples and age-old customs. The ambiguous beauty of an ancient and enigmatic culture is masterfully visualized. Text in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese

A new translation and abridgement of one of the four classical Chinese novels - an epic story of warring factions in the era of China's Han dynasty Part historical and part legend, The Romance of the Three Kingdoms dramatizes the lives of feudal lords and their retainers, recounting their personal and military battles, intrigues and struggles to achieve dominance for almost a hundred years. It is one of the most beloved works of East Asian literature, and the most famous historical novel in China.

It is Chinese New Year and Madame Gazelle is teaching the children all about this very special celebration. Peppa and George and their friends make Chinese New Year cards, try tasty Chinese treats and even take part in their very own dragon parade! This lovely story is the perfect way to teach little ones all about Chinese New Year.

Fun and effective, this excellent textbook series adopts an exciting new approach to teaching Chinese as a foreign language. The task-based program, designed by the authors of the popular Chinese Made Easy and Chinese Made Easy for Kids, is based on feedback and helpful suggestions from teachers who use those series in their classrooms. The new program includes careful pacing, up-to-date topics, attractive page designs, and practical tasks and activities. In the workbooks, students practice Pinyin and strokes, write Chinese characters, and more. Students acquire a vocabulary of 1,600 characters and confidence in speaking and writing Chinese. Language: Chinese. Аудиоматериалы доступны по QR-коду в учебнике.

Why Is the Middle East Entering a “New Era?” Is It a New Dawn? Is It a Setting Sun? In the third decade of the twenty-first century, the Middle East is entering a new era. A multifaceted and intricate equilibrium will write the next chapter of this region. The new era we are entering is fraught with challenges and full of opportunities. The new era is both defined by, and a result of, a combination of ancient and modern, domestic, regional, and international processes. Iran and Turkey each strive to position themselves as the regional superpower. In parallel, the people of the region struggle to overcome increasing domestic challenges. These developments, combined with an escalating struggle over path, identity, and direction, could result in a new model of statehood in the Arab world. While some countries take the turbulent path toward a possible new statehood model, others are fighting for their sovereignty and survival. All of this is occurring while Western hegemony in the Middle East is coming to an end and the Eastern giants are on the rise. Acclaimed Middle East expert, an Israeli fluent in Arabic, English, and Hebrew, Avi Melamed has a proven exceptional record of foreseeing the evolution of events in the Middle East and their impact on a local and regional level. In this book, Melamed takes you on a fascinating eye-opening journey through the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East in the third decade of the twenty first century. He challenges common Western concepts, narratives, and theories. And he provides predictions about some of the most central regional issues of the day. Using primarily sources from the region, Avi Melamed provides a professional, rare insider’s view and clearly and insightfully contextualizes current regional events. Inside The Middle East: Entering a New Era provides the knowledge and tools to connect the dots. This distinct understanding allows the reader to build a multidimensional picture of the geopolitical reality of the Middle East today and provides an unparalleled foundation for navigating the events of tomorrow.

A stunning selection of projects from the Spanish architect and interior designer Fran Silvestre, known for his sleek, luxurious aesthetic. In 2005, Fran Silvestre founded his Valencia-based interior design studio and architecture firm, Fran Silvestre Arquitectos. With its clean lines and minimalist yet sophisticated style, the practice rapidly attracted international renown. This monograph presents Fran Silvestre's finest projects that display his ethos of "efficient beauty." Driven by the search for architectural continuity and the aim to create ideal places to live in, Silvestre pays special attention to the cohesion of his buildings within their natural environment-the volumes celebrate their surroundings rather than take away from them. From the sunny shores of Valencia and Alicante in Spain to the verdant hillsides of Brazil and Colombia to Los Angeles and China, the striking projects illustrate Silvestre's approach of conceiving architecture that "holds onto air and walks on water." Complete with an informative text written by leading expert Philip Jodidio, this new title will inspire readers to see architecture in a new way.

A Chinese woman comes to post-Brexit London to start over - just as the Brexit campaign reaches a fever pitch. Isolated and lonely in a Britain increasingly hostile to foreigners, she meets a landscape architect and the two begin to build their future together. Playing with language and the cultural differences that our narrator encounters as she settles into her new life, the lovers must navigate their differences and their romance, whether on their unmoored houseboat or in a cramped apartment in east London. Suffused with a wonderful sense of humour, this intimate novel asks what it means to make a home and a family in a new land.

New Practical Chinese Reader is a new series of textbooks designed for native English speakers to learn Chinese. It consists of 70 lessons in six volumes, covering beginning to intermediate levels for three years of instruction. It has been compiled under the guidance of the new HSK Guideline and in consultation with NOTCFL Syllabus. The objective of this series is to develop the student's ability to communicate in Chinese through the study of language structure, language function, and related cultural knowledge along with the training of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. In order to make the study of Chinese easier and more interesting, this textbook has the following features: the student will be in the cultural settings of Chinese society with several international students, Ding Libo (son of Gu Bo and Ding Yun), Lin Na and Ma Dawei. Through many interesting experiences, the student will not only learn authentic Chinese, but also understand Chinese society and culture. The instruction of functional items is emphasized. The student will learn to use Chinese from the very beginning of the learning process.Attention is paid to the instruction of pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary and discourse and a gradual increase in difficulty, orderly advances and multiple repeats are stressed along with the usage of four large cycles to help students understand the language structure of Chinese. A new method of teaching Chinese characters is utilized to help students read and write intriguing characters. Combined instruction of the four basic skills, listening, speaking, reading and writing, is emphasized. It offers tremendous flexibility. The instructional materials are suitable for users at different starting points and with different goals. Abundant practice materials are supplied for the student to use inside and outside the classroom.

New Practical Chinese Reader is a new series of textbooks designed for native English speakers to learn Chinese. It consists of 70 lessons in six volumes, covering beginning to intermediate levels for three years of instruction. It has been compiled under the guidance of the new HSK Guideline and in consultation with NOTCFL Syllabus. The objective of this series is to develop the student's ability to communicate in Chinese through the study of language structure, language function, and related cultural knowledge along with the training of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. In order to make the study of Chinese easier and more interesting, this textbook has the following features: the student will be in the cultural settings of Chinese society with several international students, Ding Libo (son of Gu Bo and Ding Yun), Lin Na and Ma Dawei. Through many interesting experiences, the student will not only learn authentic Chinese, but also understand Chinese society and culture. The instruction of functional items is emphasized. The student will learn to use Chinese from the very beginning of the learning process.Attention is paid to the instruction of pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary and discourse and a gradual increase in difficulty, orderly advances and multiple repeats are stressed along with the usage of four large cycles to help students understand the language structure of Chinese. A new method of teaching Chinese characters is utilized to help students read and write intriguing characters. Combined instruction of the four basic skills, listening, speaking, reading and writing, is emphasized. It offers tremendous flexibility. The instructional materials are suitable for users at different starting points and with different goals. Abundant practice materials are supplied for the student to use inside and outside the classroom.

Wood is renewable and sustainable, solid and attractive. Wood can be bent and shaped to the most modern of designs. It is the material of the moment for contemporary architecture and this new volume allows readers to get a glimpse of the most exciting and dynamic new uses of wood in architecture from all over the world. Like earthen architecture, the use of wood is almost as ancient as building itself. The columns of Greek temples are stylized trees. Today's wooden buildings do all kinds of surprising things, and most of all, they are as "green" as they come.

This new series focuses on brand new trends in architecture and interior design. High Tech Architecture deals with projects all around the world, showing a trendsetting use of new materials and high-tech design. Especially new trends with glas, steel and mediafacades are featured. About 50 projects are presented in alphabetical order of the respective architects and designers. Beside numerous images, also plans and texts introduce to the projects. An index with contact information is enclosed.

Due to a budget SNAFU (for which Penultimo is not responsible), the remote island of Isla Guerra is revolting against El Presidente’s regime. Tropico needs to recruit skilled cadets via the new East Point Academy and prepare for a large scale assault by an invading enemy army. The East Point Graduate trait enables El Presidente to prevail against enemies in combat and the Cadet’s uniform completes this military-centric package.Key Features: New building: East Point Academy (provides college and military education, cadets are skilled soldiers and generals) New trait: East Point Graduate (enemies are always killed and not wounded by El Presidente in combat) New outfit: East Point Cadet (female avatar) New mission: Peace, Love and Understanding – Repel a large scale foreign invasion

A compact architectural history of Manhattan with six walks that guide readers along New York's most glamorous street. Fifth Avenue: From Washington Square to Marcus Garvey Park presents an in-depth exploration of architecture along one of the world's most iconic streets: New York City's fabled Fifth Avenue. Through six fact-filled walking tours, this accessible illustrated guide takes readers along the entire length of Fifth Avenue, studying its architecture block by block, building by building, offering the chance to discover exceptional and unusual structures across Greenwich Village, Midtown, the Upper East Side, and Harlem. Heavily illustrated with more than 300 images and practical graphic maps that mark the stops along each route, Fifth Avenue spotlights hundreds of buildings, from familiar tourist destinations to lesser-known gems. Featured are, of course, major monuments including the Empire State Building, New York Public Library, Rockefeller Center, and Saint Patrick's Cathedral; luxurious shops such as Tiffany's, Cartier, and Bulgari; elegant hotels like the St. Regis and the Plaza; and the art treasures of Museum Mile on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, the Jewish Museum, and the Museum of the City of New York. Each of the walks offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of architectural styles, from the Beaux-Arts mansions of the turn of the twentieth century to the striking contemporary structures such as the glass flagship stores of Nike, Armani, and the towering One Vanderbilt. Highlights also include works by distinguished architects such as Richard Morris Hunt, Stanford White, and Frank Lloyd Wright and contemporary leaders like Rem Koolhaas and Bjarke Ingels. Written as both a fireside and curbside read, this new book is essential for the curious architecture lover touring the New York streets, as well as anyone looking to gain a comprehensive understanding of the historic, social, and economic forces that shaped Fifth Avenue's growth and character.

A survey of Japan’s contemporary architecture scene Japan's contemporary architecture has long been among the most inventive in the world, recognized for sustainability and infinite creativity. No fewer than eight Japanese architects have won the Pritzker Prize. Since Osaka World Expo ’70 highlighted contemporary forms, Japan has been a key player in global architecture. Tadao Ando's geometry put Japanese building on the map, bridging East and West. After his concrete buildings, figures like Kengo Kuma, Shigeru Ban, and Kazuyo Sejima pioneered a more sustainable approach. Younger generations have taken new directions, in harmony with nature, traditional building, and an endless search for forms. Presenting the latest in Japanese building, this book links this unique creativity to Japan's high population density, modern economy, long history, and continual disasters in the form of earthquakes. Accepting ambiguity, constant change, and catastrophe is a key to understanding how Japanese architecture differs from that of Europe or America. This compact edition highlights 37 architects and 53 exceptional projects by Japanese masters—from Tadao Ando’s Shanghai Poly Theater, Shigeru Ban’s concert hall La Seine Musical, SANAA’s Grace Farms, Fumihiko Maki’s 4 World Trade Center to Takashi Suo’s much smaller sustainable dental clinic. An elaborate essay traces the building scene from the Metabolists to today, showing how the interaction of past, present, and future has earned contemporary Japanese architecture worldwide recognition.