located in northeastern china, yabuli is known for its rugged terrain and snow-capped mountains. the region, which is considered to be the ‘davos of asia’, is also home to a variety of summits hosted by the china entrepreneur forum (CEF). in 2017, the CEF commissioned MAD architects, led by ma yansong, to design a permanent venue that embodied the ambitions and ideologies the organization — as well as china’s burgeoning entrepreneurial industry.

MAD yabuli conference centre
all images by mir

 

 

sited along the axis of a mountain, MAD’s design for the ‘yabuli conference centre’ is a tent-like structure that is defined by soft, sloping lines. although it mimics its mountainous backdrop, the building reaches a maximum height of just 24 meters, allowing it to become part of the natural landscape.

MAD yabuli conference centre
a skylight positioned at the center of the roof allows natural light to flood the interior

 

 

organized over four floors, the scheme comprises a museum, small and large auditoriums (with 356-seats and 1000-seats respectively), a series of conference rooms and studios, and additional exhibition areas. a skylight positioned at the center of the roof allows natural light to flood the interior. according to the design team, this focal point acts as a symbolic metaphor for the ideas and discussions that will take place within the building. throughout the scheme, windows offer uninterrupted panoramic views of the surroundings year-round.

MAD yabuli conference centre
the scheme is organized over four floors

 

 

public plazas at the front and rear of the building create a dialogue between architecture and nature, while the design’s reflective exterior changes depending on the ever-changing climatic conditions. the ‘yabuli conference centre’ broke ground in spring of 2018, and is scheduled for completion in 2020.

MAD yabuli conference centre
yabuli is known for its rugged terrain and snow-capped mountains

 

 

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MAD architects china entrepreneur forum conference centre yabuli designboom
 
MAD architects china entrepreneur forum conference centre yabuli designboom
 
MAD architects china entrepreneur forum conference centre yabuli designboom
 
MAD architects china entrepreneur forum conference centre yabuli designboom
 
MAD architects china entrepreneur forum conference centre yabuli designboom
 
MAD architects china entrepreneur forum conference centre yabuli designboom
 
MAD architects china entrepreneur forum conference centre yabuli designboom
 

project info:

 

name: china entrepreneur forum conference centre
location: yabuli, china
dates: 2017 – 2020
site area: 22,001 sqm
building area: 16,198 sqm

 

principal partners in charge: ma yansong, dang qun, yosuke hayano

associate partners in charge: liu huiying
design team: li guangchong, sun shouquan, fu xiaoyi, xiao ying, song chi, deng wei, zhang xiaomei, zhao meng, huai wei, che-hung chien, cao chen, zhang yanru, wang shuobin, yuki ishigami, lin yuyang

 

client: china entrepreneur forum
executive architect: china architecture design & research group
façade consultant: shanghai kighton facade consultants co., ltd.
landscape architect: BJF international design