Taking inspiration from Taihu stone. Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects
07/05/2020.
[Suzhou] China
metalocus, VALERIA OZUNA
metalocus, VALERIA OZUNA
The architecture firm based in Shanghai, Lacime Architects designed the project of Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall in the central area of the city of Suzhou, which is a major economic center and focal point of trade and commerce, and the second largest city in the province of Jiangsu.
The project is located next to the Suzhou Canal, which has been the city's golden waterway for thousands of years, and the consequence of the economy flourishment in Suzhou.
The project is located next to the Suzhou Canal, which has been the city's golden waterway for thousands of years, and the consequence of the economy flourishment in Suzhou.
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects. Photograph by Schran Images
Site plan. Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects
Ground floor plan. Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects
First floor plan. Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects
Section. Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects
Two-in-one node of steel frame curtain wall system 1. Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects
Two-in-one node of steel frame curtain wall system 2. Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects
Design concept. Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects
Construction and metaphor between Taihu stone and frontal body. Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects
Sketch. Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects
Sketch. Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects
Sketch. Suzhou Financial Center Exhibition Hall by Lacime Architects
The 2078.2 m² project commissioned to Lacime Architects, tries to achieve spatial, structural, and formal unity throughout the design. It takes as an element of inspiration the Taihu stone, essential in the gardens for its important cultural feature, highly appreciated by the citizens of the region.
The proposal works with the program been concentrated in a simple geometry building, with a few turns, creating unlimited intentions with simple techniques. The result of this is leaving the vitality of the surrounding open space amplified and make it the city parlor for residents.
The proposal works with the program been concentrated in a simple geometry building, with a few turns, creating unlimited intentions with simple techniques. The result of this is leaving the vitality of the surrounding open space amplified and make it the city parlor for residents.
Project description by Lacime Architects
The project is located in the central section next to Suzhou Canal, where there is a grand canal view in the distance and urban trunk road nearby. We explore the inherent logic of local cultural form and language and apply them to the design to stimulate the vitality of surrounding open space and make it the city parlor for residents.
As a “poetic” city rich in historical and cultural heritage, Suzhou is widely known as the “garden city”. Taihu stone is an essential element of the garden, and it represents an important cultural carrier much loved by citizens. The project attempts to establish the connection between the Taihu stone and the front structure. Based on this, a modern balanced Taihu stone with metaphorical meaning is created in a twisted, bevel, and split form. The past and present forms are overlapped to transcend time and space, which gives viewers an experience of traveling into the past and future.
The third interface is added beyond the structure and glass curtain wall so that viewers can’t see through internal space, which blurs the distinction between internal and external spaces. The outer skin system, glass curtain wall system, and column system are separated in proper order, and they look somewhat different but get overlapped visually. Such ambiguity results in a reserved yet passionate experience.
The second-layer facade design is particularly important. The designer uses parameterized skin texture and creates a poetic picture of Suzhou by lines. The abstract binary pattern goes through time and space in an attempt to give viewers non-figurative graphical information, so it can be Jiangnan landscape with misty rain, continuous Suzhou-style satin, flowing canal water, or even a poet’s haunting homesickness or lovesickness.
Much space is left in the project, and the meaning of Suzhou is explored by a modern approach. That is, simple geometry, some twists, and curves all showcase flowing lines. An infinite state is achieved easily.
It strives to achieve unity of structure, space, and form throughout the project. The main space is a flowing space with a column-free steel structure, and the roof is presented in a twisted form. Sunlight streams through the sides, and outdoor large steps lead to indoor space. They constitute an endless loop and get interwoven to blend in with the building form. To bring simplicity to space, we adopt the design combining steel structure and curtain wall, and that means the load-bearing system of the curtain wall becomes the structural system. More upright columns are used without beam-columns to form an orderly space structure.
More information
Architects
Lacime Architects. Chief Designer.- Song Zhaoqing.
Collaborators
Shanghai Riqing Architectural Design Co., Ltd., Song Zhaoqing, Guo Dan Nie Jichang Wu Minqi, DIA Danjian International.
Client
Su Gaoxin Group Sunac China Joint Development.
Area
2078,2 m²
Dates
05.2018 - 03.2019.
Photograph
Schran Images.
Zhaoqing Song. Lacime Architects
Zhaoqing Song.- In 1992, he graduated from the Architecture Major at the Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, and was awarded a bachelor's degree. In 1995, he graduated from Architectural Design and Theoretical Research, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, and was awarded a Master's Degree. In 1995-2001, he was Principal Architect of Nikken Design International. Since 2001, he has been the Founder and Chief Architect of Shanghai Lacime Architects.
Some of his work includes.- Qin Ⅱ Dynasty Relics Museum. Xi'an, China (2010). Zhongxing Meihua Village. Shanghai, China (2004 - 2010). Cifi Headquarters. Shanghai, China (2016). Greenland Epoch Gate. Yiwu, China (2018). Dajia Villa. Suzhou, China (2019).
Some of his work includes.- Qin Ⅱ Dynasty Relics Museum. Xi'an, China (2010). Zhongxing Meihua Village. Shanghai, China (2004 - 2010). Cifi Headquarters. Shanghai, China (2016). Greenland Epoch Gate. Yiwu, China (2018). Dajia Villa. Suzhou, China (2019).
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