At a lecture in Hong Kong on January 3, 2009, An Xiaojie, Lighting designer of "Water Cube", says it will be hard to hold his head high if there are no improvements to Water Cube, according to Ming Pao Daily News.

The lighting designer of Beijing-based "Water Cube" has recently disparages his work as a failure, complaining that the lights are too bright for real beauty and suggesting that the lighting effects should vary more.

The Water Cube when lit up.

According to Ming Pao Daily News, the Beijing-based National Swimming Center "Water Cube", which cost more than 1 billion yuan, looks spectacular in the evening when lit up. However, its light designer An Xiaojie is dissatisfied with his work, complaining that the lights are too bright for real beauty and suggesting that the lighting effects should vary more. He even disparages his work as a failure, awarding himself only 3 out of 10.

An, from Beijing, has been involved in the illumination industry for more than 15 years, and is now deputy director of the Consultation Committee under Beijing Lighting Association. His design work includes Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and New Sanlitun in Beijing. He was invited to present.

The key feature of the design was intended to be water, with a dynamic rising bubble effect and water flowing, said An while presenting a lecture on the lighting design of Water Cube in Hong Kong on January 3. He was regretful but not disheartened when many of his designs were not adopted.

The designer awards Water Cube only 3 out of 10. He is critical of the brightness of the lighting, and the lack of drama as the colours vary: "This was not my decision, but why can't we have more variety in such an expensive building?"

He thinks different techniques can be adopted for the Christmas lights decoration on the quays of Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor, such as a snowflake effect created by lights, but his most important aim is to bring happiness to everyone.

(China.org.cn by Jessica Zhang, January 5, 2009)