The 2008 Olympic Games aren´t just a gathering of athletes, it´s also a showcase of the most innovative buildings and technologies like GreenPIX, the Zero Energy Media Wall by Simone Giostra & Partners and ARUP. This curtain wall covers the front of the Xicui entertainment complex in Beijing, near one of the main athletic complexes of the 2008 Olympic Games. As you can see, it features the worlds largest color LED display, however it’s also powered by an integrated photovoltaic system. The wall will showcase a selection of specially commissioned video installations (read propaganda) and live performances by artists from China, Europe and the US, starting in this month.
Sure it looks like a large drive-in, but the the fact that it’s LED-based at least improves on the old school resolution. Further, it’s an optimistic gesture to see one of the most polluting countries in the world adopt a minor green initiative such as using solar panels, even if it’s to power a massive television. But don’t kid yourself, once these Olympics are in our past China will feel less pressure to green-up and put on a good show for the rest of the world. In that case, by next fall I can see this gigantic wall displaying a message reminiscent of THX 1138. A happy worker is a good worker.