New Bolivian Presidential Palace

Bolivian President Evo Morales has signed the contract to start the building of a new presidential palace.

President Morales said it was inspired by the architecture of the Tiahuanaco civilization of pre-Hispanic Bolivia.
It will replace the current colonial building, in use since the 16th Century.
The new building will be decorated to remind Bolivians - a majority indigenous nation - of their heritage.
President Morales, who has just started his third term in office, said the old building, known as "The Burnt Palace" because it was sacked and burnt during a revolt in 1875, was "full of European symbols and felt as small as a mousehole"

He said the new palace, which would be called "The Great House of the People", had been designed by Bolivian architects and would be decorated with indigenous motifs to pay homage to Bolivian traditional culture

It will be built behind the current palace, which will be turned into a museum
The plans for the new palace include a heliport, a centre for indigenous ceremonies and a 1,000-seat auditorium.
It is expected to cost about $36m.