Zaha Hadid Architects have been declared as the winning firm chosen to design Phase II of the International Exhibition Centre in Beijing. The announcement came next in line to two other projects – the HKUST New halls of Residence and Tower C that were confirmed two weeks ago. 

On an expansive site area of 63.74 hectares in China, this project has a built-area of 438,500 sqm where the centre will mainly house exhibition halls (79%), basement floors (46%), a conference centre and hotel. The Phase II proposal intends to significantly increase the exhibition space and capacity while amplifying the city’s strategic position as a leading hub of knowledge and global exchange. Over the years, the city of Beijing has considerably become significant in terms of cultural, academic and civic engagement. The expansion aims to raise the overall impact and influence on the developments here. 

Located at the core of the International Airport area in the Shunyi district of Beijing, the centre positions itself to welcome local citizens along with national and international travellers from different parts of the world to its extensive schedule of event programs. Additionally, the Line 15 subway station of Beijing would be exclusive to the International Exhibition Centre, resulting in the creation of a prominent venue for conferences, trade fairs and industry expos attended by global delegates. A central north-south axis is the primary connecting space between the east and west exhibition halls, while the secondary bridges at higher levels add a further layer of connectivity between the centre’s network of facilities.

The coherent relationships between the centre's framework of exhibition halls as well as the conference centre and hotel is stimulated by the materiality of textures in the glazed tubular ceramic tiles. These are also influenced by traditional Chinese architecture, which is reflected in the arrangement of a series of lines and geometries. Further, it is substantially complemented by the copper tint and large recessed windows which lends a distinctive dynamic envelope. The roof’s symmetric geometries also create an efficient large-span structure which is lightweight, to provide a column-free, flexible space that can quickly adapt to alterations in exhibitions and nature of use; its industrial materiality and scale balanced with its fluid architectural language. With the conference centre and hotel being located to the north of the site, the movement of people, goods and vehicles are divided into three separate routes to support efficient circulation, provide optimal adaptability and avoid disruption to ongoing events.

The centre designed by Zaha Hadid Architects thus aims at functional precision, increased flexibility and efficiency along with spaces for recreation and relaxation through the defined courtyards, landscaped gardens, cafés and outdoor public event spaces. 

A composite roof system is designed to insulate the interior environment and provide maximum sound absorption, while modular fabrication and methodologies of construction are schemed to reduce the construction time, investment and operational costs. 

To ensure minimum carbon embodiments, a smart building management system will support and balance the centre’s hybrid ventilation along with high-efficiency HVAC equipment to enhance indoor air quality and further reduce electricity demand. Additionally, solar radiation will aid in harvesting renewable energy sources while rainwater collection and grey-water recycling will be planned along with the extensive gardens and natural landscaping to maintain an overall balance in the environment. 

Project Details

Name: International Exhibition Centre (Phase-II)
Location: Beijing, China
Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)
Design: Patrick Schumacher
Local Architect: BIAD
Urban Planning: AECOM

(Text by Nikitha Sunil, intern at STIRworld.com)