gmp International GmbH

Xian Conference Center

Xian Conference Center
© CreatAR Images

XIAN CONFERENCE CENTER

Gmp Architects

ARCHITECTS
Gmp Architects

LOCATION
Xi'an, China

AREA
306700 m²

CATEGORY
Cultural Architecture

YEAR
2020

PHOTOGRAPHS
CreatAR Images

STRUCTURAL DESIGN
Sbp, Schlaich Bergermann Partner

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
WES LandschaftsArchitektur

CLIENT
Xi'an Silk Road International Convention and Exhibition Center Co., Ltd., Xi'an Chanba Ecological Zone Management Committee, Xi'an Silk Road International Convention and Exhibition Center Co.

ARCHITECT IN CHARGE
Meinhard von Gerkan, Nikolaus Goetze, Magdalene Weiß

DETAIL DESIGN TEAM
Mengtong Zhao, Haifeng Xu, Yuxuan Hu, Zhifei Wang

PROJECT LEAD, DETAIL DESIGN
Wen Su

PROJECT MANAGEMENT CHINA
Lei Cai, Mengxuan Qu

PROJECT MANAGEMENT CHINA
Lei Cai, Mengxuan Qu

PARTNER FIRM IN CHINA
Tongji Architectural Design, Tongji Architectural Design

FACADE DESIGN
Inhabit Group

FAÇADE DESIGN
Inhabit

Construction of the Silk Road International Conference Center has been completed. In 2017, the Architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners won the competition for the conference center which, together with the Silk Road International Exhibition Center, also by gmp, forms the Center for Trade and Industry of Shaanxi Province.

Xian Conference Center
© CreatAR Images
Xian Conference Center
© CreatAR Images

Situated on the eastern part of the site, the conference center‒with a total floor area of 128,000 square meters above ground‒offers conference, exhibition, and multifunctional facilities for international forums, as well as for bilateral and multilateral summits, and thus is the largest integrated conference center in the north-west of China.

The sweeping symmetrical shape of the roof, the measured horizontal facade proportions, and the column pattern are understood as references to traditional Chinese architecture.

Xian Conference Center
© CreatAR Images
Xian Conference Center
© CreatAR Images

The concave, retreating curved glass facades and the half-moon-shaped upper and lower parts of the facades give the square structure, with its 200-meter-long sides, classical and elegant proportions.

The glazed first-floor level above the platform with steps down to the water makes the building appear to float. The sense of weightlessness is achieved by using an unusual suspended construction.

Xian Conference Center
© CreatAR Images
Xian Conference Center
© CreatAR Images
Xian Conference Center
© CreatAR Images

A grid of steel beams spans the cores, thus creating large congregation and exhibition spaces without columns.

In addition, the steel beams project beyond the cores, forming the sweeping verge of the roof. Suspended from this is the lower, half-moon-shaped arch that forms a generous entrance situation.

Xian Conference Center
© CreatAR Images
Xian Conference Center
© CreatAR Images

The suspension is achieved using 180 elegant steel columns with lengths of between 30 and 40 meters and a diameter of 0.6 meters that provide a dynamic structure and emphasis to the facade. Viewed from across the river, the internally illuminated white half-moons appear as a landmark for Xi'an that can be seen from afar.

gmp International GmbH
T +49 40 881510
gmp International GmbH
Elbchaussee 139, 22763 Hamburg, Germany