MAD ARCHITECTS / YABULI CONGRESS CENTRE CHINA

MAD Architects / Yabuli Conference Centre. China

The Yabuli Congress Centre, situated in the mountains of Northeast China, stands as a significant meeting place for Chinese and international entrepreneurs alike to gather and share ideas.

The four-storey building is built around a large 1,000-seat auditorium that occupies one side of the venue, while a series of smaller auditoriums, an exhibition hall and meeting rooms are on the other.

The building, equipped with various functional spaces, makes the “permanent conference site” a complex integrating conferences, training, and think tank activities. The permanent forum is open to the public on weekdays. Visitors can learn about the 100-year history of entrepreneurs at the China Entrepreneurs Museum, and can also participate in small activities in the public space in the lobby.

MAD’s scheme, evokes the concept of a tent sitting at the foot of a mountain, with its soft, curving, silver-white rooftop echoing the snow-capped hills surrounding it. Casually mirroring its mountainous backdrop, it reaches a maximum height of 24 meters, allowing it to settle quietly into the landscape.

While humble in its presence, it does not lose the dynamic atmosphere of northern China – integrated with the sky, the ground, the snow, the forest, and the mountains.

Skylight design prototype (using combination of Rhino / Grasshopper.)

One thing observed was a clear and important step considering the connection between architecture and nature, which evidently this design does well.

The skylight which is situated within the main atrium is a transparent defining point of this idea. Through the cycle of day and night, it creates contrasting atmospheres. Day provides life with natural light pouring from outside and which flows with the concaves of the timber wall panels. Night provides a warm intimate glow with wooden interior concaves in contrast to the harsh silver cool exterior.

Ultimately, this project reflects on the importance of connection and imbibition with the surrounding nature.

It also allows the reflection on the idea of parametric architecture and its aid to the environment, how it can create space and light, and of course forming the surrounding environment.

INTERIOR ELEMENTS

EXTERIOR ELEMENTS