Beijing illuminated by glass walling

17:06:20 25th June 2008

A glass wall in Beijing which makes use of integrated photovoltaics to power a giant screen lights up the city, it has been reported.

Web resource Building.co.uk explains that the walling is located on the Chinese capital's Xicui Entertainment Complex and the photovoltaics power a giant light emitting diode (LED) panel.

Located close to the site of the upcoming Olympics, the glazed wall features polycrystalline photovoltaic cells within the glass.

They are placed over the structure's skin in varying densities, which allows natural light to enter the edifice where required.

New York-based architect Simone Giostra tells the site: "The media wall will provide the city of Beijing with its first venue dedicated to digital media art, while offering the most radical example of photovoltaic technology applied to an entire building's envelope to date."

In recent days, noted architect Lord Rogers was recently made a Companion of Honour in the Queen's birthday listings.