in an exploration of local culture and vernacular forms, lacime architects has realized ‘suzhou financial center exhibition hall’ in suzhou, china. situated next to a canal, the new intervention incorporates a huge public plinth and expanse of water, resulting in an open place for local residents to enjoy. 

suzhou financial center exhibition hall 3

all images © schran images

 

 

the building mass is articulated by lacime architects using simple geometry, which is infused with slight twists and curves to create a sinuous and supple form. the huge volume seems to float off the ground thanks to a glass curtain wall at first floor level, which also serves to blur the distinction between indoor and outdoor spaces.

suzhou financial center exhibition hall 4

 

 

above the glass the rest of the volume is clad in a parameterized metal skin to create a textured effect of lines, which comes to life even more so at night. the abstract binary pattern intends to evoke different emotions and memories, from the jiangnan landscape to the flowing water of the suzhou canal. 

suzhou financial center exhibition hall 5

 

 

the design strives to achieve unity of structure, space and form throughout the building. natural light streams through the elevations, and large outdoor steps lead to the indoor space. the main interior is a flowing space thanks to a column-free steel structure, while the roof is presented in a twisted form. 

suzhou financial center exhibition hall 6

 

 

rich in historical and cultural heritage, suzhou is widely known as the ‘garden city’. taihu stone is an essential part of this garden and it represents an important cultural element loved by citizens. the project attempts to establish a connection between 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 therefore overlapped to transcend time and space.

suzhou financial center exhibition hall 1

suzhou financial center exhibition hall 2

suzhou financial center exhibition hall 7

suzhou financial center exhibition hall 8

suzhou financial center exhibition hall 9

suzhou financial center exhibition hall 10

suzhou financial center exhibition hall 11

 

 

project info:

 

project name: suzhou financial center exhibition hall
location: suzhou, china
architectural design: lacime architects 
chief designer: song zhaoqing
design team: guo dan, nie jichang, wu minqi
photography: schran images

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: lynne myers | designboom