To introduce this meeting of culture, aoe created a Cultural Exchange City Reception Center in the city where it all begun. The marriage of the Italian and Sino style was at the heart of the project to illustrate the cultural mix and was adapted to merge the structure and its surrounding.
Chengdu, hailed as the land of abundance, has a civilization history of 4,500 years old and a city construction history of 2,300 years old. In the 13th century, Marco Polo arrived at Chengdu. In the 21st century, against the background of the Belt and Road Initiative, the planning of Chengdu Tianfu Cultural and Creative City came into being, and the Sino-Italian Cultural Exchange City Reception Center is an important part of the City, aiming to build a platform for cultural exchange and civilization interchange between the two countries. The project is located about 36 kilometers from the center of Chengdu, planned to cover an area of 17,815 square meters, with a construction area of 2,107 square meters.
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- Aerial View (Photo credit: Arch-exist Photography)
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- Photo credit: Arch-exist Photography
The architects hoped to bridge the cultural differences between the East and the West: the overall design concept was taken from the “Ruyi”, which has been used in China since ancient times as a gift to foreign ambassadors to signify friendly relations and peace between two countries; while the Italian pavilion is inspired by Italy’s most representative piazza.
The design elements are extracted from the ancient Roman arches and domes, and the smooth enclosure of multiple circular squares is used to form a rich and versatile use of space to meet the multi-functional requirements of exhibition, meeting, reception, and catering. The use of pure white on all walls gives the building a different three-dimensional light effect in the sunlight, while the large area of glass extends the indoor space to the outside and allows the outdoor scenery to emerge as a dynamic mural during the four seasons.
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- Photo credit: Arch-exist Photography
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- Photo credit: Arch-exist Photography
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- Photo credit: Arch-exist Photography
The harmony between architecture and nature lies in the use of natural resources and the preservation of the natural environment. Pavilions on both sides are designed with top lighting so that the light is evenly diffused both indoor and outdoor. In addition, the use of outdoor greenery and the use of buoyant ventilation devices channel airflow into the building organically to combine with natural light, scenery, and wind, allowing people to be immersed in a surrounding of natural environment even when they are in the building.
In terms of space planning, the designer has reserved the most flexible space for exhibition and display. The staggered height of the building allows visitors to stand at different heights and view the scenery differently, creating a “walk in the woods” mood and a unique experience.
The interior of the building is a flowing space shaped by 10 circular walls of different sizes, divided into three levels of elevation in accordance with the terrain, rising from the entrance hall to the interior space.
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- Photo credit: Arch-exist Photography
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- Photo credit: Arch-exist Photography
The circular space consists of two spatial forms: indoor and piazza; three outdoor semi-circular piazzas are defined as the entrance fountain piazza, the Italian piazza, and the outdoor theater, each reproducing a typical Italian urban piazza space. The Piazza Italia is surrounded by the ruins of the Roman arches. The three indoor circular spaces are designed as a meeting hall, a multi-functional hall, and a multimedia showroom, which are arranged around the central exhibition hall.
The visitor crosses the gable to the Italian piazza and ascends a curved staircase to the roof garden. There are two circular gardens, one in the east and one in the west, which are complemented by the contrast between natural vegetation and stone.
The Chinese Cultural Hall on the east side is reached by walking down through the cultural corridor or stepping over the Chinese white jade pavement above the water pond. The two paths symbolize the two Silk Roads between East and West, on land and on water.
About aoe
aoe is headquartered in Beijing, China, equipped with a team of designers who balance scientific exactitude and creative innovation.
Source: v2com
