Details

HASSELL was invited to participate in an international design competition for a very large Conference and Exhibition Centre, located in a new urban development precinct adjacent to the Tianjin International Airport.

Our proposal was for a very clear and memorable scheme that unifies two sites and various building functions under a single canopy. The canopy form ensures a strong, singular image that is legible from the air, surrounding highways and from a human perspective at street level. The main elements of the facility included a 100,000 square metre exhibition space, a conference centre and a hotel. An adjacent administration building acts as a satellite, completing and extending this gesture. The canopy provides sustainable design through natural light and ventilation for exhibition halls, energy generation from photovoltaic cells, and rainwater harvesting. The facility is also connected to public transport and train infrastructure allowing direct access to the complex.

Inside, exhibition and conference halls are designed for maximum flexibility. The public spaces are light-filled and inviting, and always visually connected back into the surrounding urban fabric.