Tianjing Zarsion Exhibition Center

The project is located on the side of the winding tributary of Yongding River. In an endless meadow without a clear definition of the external place, the relationship between the building and the place is the floating feeling that arises naturally. The design started from the roof, we tried to use symbolic architectural language to establish a connection with the historical environment. Imagining a crystal clear water drop that would quietly dissolve into the endless and winding river. However, with the gradual development of the narrative, metaphorical polysemy emerges.

Photography by © Yijie Hu

In the layout, the water drop shape is placed into the site diagonally, which not only elongates the moving line from the city interface to the entrance, but also makes the water drop shape more intuitive. The far-reaching cornice overhang and extensive glazing applications present a directionless floating roof. Accompanied by the swaying shadow of the trees, providing a charming tranquility.

The building does not have a clear main entrance. Only three exposed diagonal wooden posts at the front are used to define the entrance space. The cross section size of the wooden posts is similar to that of the surrounding tree trunks, making it easier to blend into the environment visually. The floating sense of the roof is further enhanced.

Photography by © Yijie Hu

Before entering the exhibition space from the front field, one enters a transitional space under the eaves, which is lowered. And then gradually steps under the leaf-shaped skylight. We consciously controlled the interference of excessive direct light through the size of the skylight, so as to ensure the soft and quiet space atmosphere inside.

In the project landing, the biggest challenge is the large span and overhang in the structure. After several rounds of structural tests, the final shape is this umbrellar-shaped, inside, middle and outside three circular steel beams and 68 radial red pine beams formed the spoke arch architecture scheme.

Photography by © Yijie Hu

The interior has 8 wooden posts and 3 diagonal wooden posts at the front end. Structurally, the indoor column-free space of 34.0mx14.5m and the outdoor cantilever of 3.7m are realized. Smoke-gray aluminum-magnesium-manganese shingles, ultra-white tempered glass, and the spruce ceiling with a small surface, the leaf-shaped exterior contour completes the true expression of the microscopic force.

According to the integrated functions and forms of the entrance platform, sales display and logistics office. The exhibition center has set up a space under the eve with a length of 11 meters, a single large-scale display space, a finance room, a storage room, a toilet for men and women, and several sales offices for logistics.

In the detailed design, the cavity of roof board and inclined beam, as well as the cavity of main ring beam are used to hide all pipelines including water, electricity and air conditioning.

Project Info:
Architects: Ruf Architects
Location: Tianjin, China
Area: 450 m²
Project Year: 2020
Photographs: Yijie Hu
Architect In Charge: Mingbo Qian