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Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Geographical and architectural imaginations

same magazine, by Yan (1960), provided more detailed
information about his travel to Sudan, including a visit to the
Mahdi tomb in Khartoum, where he admired the bravery of
the Mahdi against the British army officer Charles George
Gordon. Gordon had participated in the suppression of
the Taiping Rebellion in the Qing dynasty of China and
later was killed by the Mahdi army in Khartoum. Yan Biao’s
condemnation of colonialism and imperialism helped
to establish an emotional resonance with the Sudanese
people. His travel notes became the limited geographical
knowledge accessible to Chinese audiences at the time.
Due to domestic political turmoil, principal architects in
charge of the Friendship Hall project were not permitted to
travel abroad, unlike the 1960s when architects were able
to visit foreign-aid project sites. Together with the absence
of published materials on Sudanese architecture, architects Figure 14. Wang’s sketch for the Friendship Hall. Source: Shanghai
have little relevant information for reference. Institute of Architecture Design and Research.
Second, the design team at the Shanghai Civic
Architecture Design Institute lacked the necessary
experience to undertake such large-scale foreign-
aid projects. Previously, such large-scale, high-prolife
foreign-aid projects were usually assigned to the Beijing
Industrial Architecture Design Institute. However, due to
the dissolution of the Beijing institute in the late 1960s,
and the inability to immediately reorganize, the state
authorities responsible for foreign aid assigned the task to Figure 15. The model of the Friendship Hall. Source: Shanghai Institute
the Shanghai institute. of Architecture Design and Research.
At the schematic design phase, Wang Dingzeng, the
former chief architect of Shanghai institute before the Despite Wang Dingzeng’s appointment as chief architect
Cultural Revolution, was not permitted to participate of the project, he was never able to visit Sudan for site
in the project design by ultra-leftists who removed him surveys and project inspections. This was largely associated
from his leadership position. The design team produced with the political climate at the time, in which the selection
several Beaux-Arts informed proposals and presented of professionals for overseas aid project was primarily
them to Fang Yi, the Minister of Foreign Economic Liaison based on political factors, such as loyalty, background
Department in Beijing (Guo, 2017). However, these examination, and health, rather than expertise. Wang’s
proposals were not approved. In the subsequent round, American educational background and potential personal
Wang was invited to contribute and presented a sketch connections with foreigners likely led to mistrust by the
characterized by an asymmetrical layout, showcasing his authorities. Despite the lack of local references, Wang and
unconventional approach towards the project’s complex his collaborators were able to acquire certain knowledge
functions (Figure 14). In 1972, Wang and his colleagues on designing for a hot and dry climate through the works
traveled to Beijing and presented the project to Chen of fellow architects who had already practiced in tropical
Muhua, Deputy Minister of Foreign Economic Liaison regions a decade earlier. In addition, the completion of
Department. It was unclear how Wang’s asymmetrical the People’s Great Hall in Beijing and the People’s Palace,
proposal, instead of the other three symmetrical layouts, Guinea and the ongoing construction of the Bandaranaike
was received by the Sudanese officials (Wang & Qi, 1996). Memorial International Conference Hall in Sri Lanka at
When the asymmetrical scheme was ultimately selected the time likely provided valuable inspirations for Shanghai
and approved by both Beijing and Khartoum, Wang and architects.
his colleague Chen Zhi coordinated a group of talented Wang’s sketch for the Friendship Hall project reflected
architects within the design institute, including Guo a cautious yet relaxed engagement with the site. The
Xiaoling, Li Yingqi and Zhang Zhimo, and spent 1 year in preference for asymmetrical composition was consistent
completing construction drawings (Figure 15). with his previous work during the 1950s, such as the

Volume 5 Issue 1 (2023) 12 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.200