Zaha Hadid Architects has won a design competition to build the second phase of the International Exhibition Centre in Beijing, China. 

The 438,500-square-metre project features an expansive, intertwined roof system that aims to create an efficient lightweight large span structure to provide a column free flexible spaces.

The flexibility of the roof system is aimed to quickly adapt to changes in exhibitions and nature of use, while its fluid language provides a balance between functional use and overall aesthetic.

Set to be built at the core of the International Airport New City in Beijing’s Shunyi District, the new centre will incorporate exhibition halls, conference centre and hotel which are designed in balanced composition. 

Image © BrickVisual

Conceived as a series of interconnecting lines and geometries, the project draws inspiration from "the textures of glazed tubular ceramic tile roofs within traditional Chinese architecture".

As ZHA states, its copper colour and large recessed windows give further expression to the visually dynamic envelope.

The new centre will have 346,500-square-metre exhibition halls, 44,000-square-metre conference centre, 48,000-square-metre, hotel and 205,200-square-metre basement floors. 

Image © Atchain

"With its own station on Line 15 of the Beijing Subway, the International Exhibition Centre is located next to the city’s Capital International Airport and has grown to become an important venue for conferences, trade fairs and industry expos attended by delegates from across the globe," said ZHA.

"The second phase of the International Exhibition Centre will significantly expand its exhibition space, enhancing the city’s position as a leading centre of knowledge and international exchange." 

"Located at the core of the International Airport New City in Beijing’s Shunyi District, the centre will welcome local residents as well as visitors from across China and around the world to its comprehensive programme of events," the firm added.

Image © Atchain

There will be a central north-south axis which will be the primary connecting space between the east and west exhibition halls. This axis will provide functional clarity, maximum flexibility and efficiency as well as defining shared courtyards for informal meetings and relaxation in landscaped gardens, cafes and outdoor public event spaces. 

At higher levels, there are secondary bridges adding a further layer of connectivity between the centre’s network of facilities, the bridges are perceived from the top of the building.

Conference centre and hotel are placed to the north of the site, the movement of people, goods and vehicles throughout the centre is divided into three separate routes to aid circulation, provide optimal adaptability and avoid disruption to ongoing events.

Image © Atchain

For the building's roof structure, ZHA designs a composite roof system to insulate the interior environment and provide maximum sound absorption. 

"The roof’s symmetric geometries create an efficient lightweight large span structure to provide a column free flexible space that can quickly adapt to changes in exhibitions and nature of use," said the studio. 

"Its industrial materiality and scale balanced with its fluid architectural language."

For construction, ZHA will use modular fabrication and construction methods to minimize the centre’s construction time, investment and operational costs.

Image © ZHA

Solar arrays will harvest renewable energy while a smart building management system will adjust the centre’s hybrid ventilation as required, ensuring optimum natural ventilation supported when necessary by high efficiency HVAC equipment to enhance indoor air quality and further reduce electricity demand," the firm added.

Extensive gardens and natural landscaping will help rainwater collection and grey water recycling, the project will target minimum embodied carbon and emissions by using advancements in sustainable building technologies.

Zaha Hadid Architects will work with local architecture firm BIAD on the project, alongside AECOM for urban planning. 

Project facts

Site Area: 63.74 hectares
Height: 45 m
Gross Floor Area above Grade: 438,500 sq.m
(Exhibition Halls: 346,500 sq.m)
(Conference Centre: 44,000 sq.m)
(Hotel: 48,000 sq.m)
(Basements: 205,200 sq.m)

Project team
Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)
Design: Patrik Schumacher
ZHA Competition Project Directors: Satoshi Ohashi, Paulo Flores
ZHA Competition Project Associates: Yang Jingwen, Michail Desyllas
ZHA Competition Project Leader: Di Ding
ZHA Competition Team: Eduardo Camarena, Enoch Kolo, Che-Hung Chien, Felix Amiss, Genci Sulo, I-Chun Lin, Jiaxing Lu, Juan Liu, Mariana Custodio dos Santos, Meng Zhao, Michael On, Nastasja Mitrovic, Nicolas Tornero, Ying Xia, Zheng Xu

Consortium Team
Local Architect: BIAD
Urban Planning: AECOM

Top image © Slashcube

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