The Zhou Brothers, internationally based China-born artists, designed the Timegate Monument. A combination of ancient Chinese aesthetic with state-of-the-art material and construction technology, the Timegate Monument will bring a timeless image of Chinese culture to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The three legs of this 80-meter tall monument provide an image of eternal strength. They also form enormous gateways. The hand-wrought character of the monument gives it an ancient and organic quality that counterpoints the newer construction of downtown Beijing. Its stainless steel cladding brings an added dimension and complexity, which will be further counter-pointed by projected computer images. This is a uniquely Chinese, enormously effective, and highly figural combination of the archaic and futuristic style, thus creating a memorable site for those who view it. Cordogan Clark and Associates collaborated with the Zhou Brothers in structuring and programming their sculptural concept to make it a fully functioning restaurant/commercial/ institutional facility.

Raised Plaza
A raised 8-meter tall, granite-clad plaza forms the base of the Timegate Monument. The design of the plaza highlights the monument's position as an important civic structure. The sloped sides of the plaza are clad in Chinese black granite. The sides and main plaza beneath the monument are fashioned with red granite. These materials counterpoint the stainless steel clad Timegate Monument and provide it an appropriate base. The polished granite plaza will reflect the shimmering monument almost like water. The design of the plaza itself is also reminiscent of ancient Chinese forms. The whirling geometry of the plaza's ramps reinforces the kinetic aspect of the traffic circle. They are highlighted by indirect lighting running parallel to them, illuminating the deeply red granite ramps. Alternate planting of the sloped sides below these ramps- with a uniform planting material- will add further dimension to this important civic space.

Commercial Spaces-Commercial spaces are incorporated into the Timegate monument to bring it additional activity and dimension, and to make it a commercially viable project. These spaces will pay for the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the monument. They will also provide public gathering places and activities for the neighboring and visiting public. These spaces are configured as follows:

Restaurant / Bar-The main access to the Timegate overlook and restaurant space is at grade level in the plaza base. Visitors enter a central lobby space at this level, then ascend via elevators to the 20th floor Restaurant / Bar which overlooks the central axis of Beijing. The Restaurant / Bar is designed to have room for over a thousand people. The restaurant interior is clad with stainless steel and animated with projected computer images similar to the exterior of the monument. It will incorporate sculpture and artwork by the Zhou Brothers, and it is perceived as an "inhabitable sculpture". Silver mirror-glass, discretely blended with the Monument's stainless steel cladding, will provide views of the city. This state-of-the-art restaurant / Bar space is designed to become a top tourist attraction in Beijing.