tabanlioglu architects: sipopo congress center

‘sipopo congress center’ by tabanlıoğlu architects, malabo, equatorial guinea image © emre dörter

at istanbul design week, melkan gursel tabanlioglu, co-founder of the istanbul-based firm tabanlıoğlu architects presented the ‘sipopo congress center’. the project has been recently shortlisted for an award in the civic and community category for the 2011 world architecture festival. positioned along the western coast of africa, this facility for diplomatic relations within the capital city of malabo, equatorial guinea, is open to negotiations between leaders of diverse african cultures. a transparent rectangular volume has been wrapped within a laced envelope to offer filtered views of the adjacent bay and wooded surroundings while shielding the interior from strong direct sunlight.

elevation image © emre dörter

the veiled cladding has been pulled away from the unframed curtain wall, providing a continuous surface for the encompassing nature to reflect within the glass. the sun’s rays filter through the bronze mesh units, colored to match the trunks of the native trees. dictated by the orientation of the building, the angles and placement of the delicate and detailed geometric panels are adjusted to ensure solar gain is reduced and energy efficiency is maintained.

pedestrian bridge leading into the center image © emre dörter

a transparent pedestrian bridge leads to the double-height atrium and lobby dappled with light created by the exterior’s incised patterns. the conference hall which hosts confidential affairs is bounded by an opaque wall covered with materials to address acoustic issues. timber, natural stone and glass were specifically chosen to reduce ambient sounds in addition to three dimensional panels with facets. decor is derived from local cultural motifs and regional landscape forms and vegetation introducing traces of heritage into the contemporary architecture.

surrounding woods are reflected within the glass facade image © emre dörter

upward view of cantilevered panels image © emre dörter

panels wrap around the corner image © emre dörter

detail of support structure for metal panels image © emre dörter

metal panel facade at sunset image © emre dörter

connection bridge leading to the lobby image © emre dörter

lobby with ocean views image © emre dörter

chandelier and wooden ceiling panels image © emre dörter

(left) angled mirrored panels (right) angled and backlit wood panels images © emre dörter

main conference hall images © emre dörter

(left) detail of wood furniture (right) folded mesh wall panels images © emre dörter

illuminated at night image © emre dörter

project info:

client: oficina nacional de planification y seguimiento de proyectos de guinea ecuatorial “ge- proyectos” general contractor: onur-summa j.v. architect: tabanlıoğlu architects melkan gürsel & murat tabanlıoğlu architectural project team: salih yılgörür, ali çalışkan, sertaç tümer, utkan yonter, emre çetinel, elvin erkut, tugce güleç interior design: tabanlıoğlu architects hacer akgun marino, eda lerzan tuçbil, esra çanakkale, gonca yılmaz ağbaş, anday bodur landscape consultant: tabanlıoğlu architects structural engineer: emir mühendislik, adnan öğüt mechanical engineer: dt mühendislik ve taahhüt a.ş. electrical engineer: dt mühendislik ve taahhüt a.ş. fire consultant: prof. dr. abdurrahman kılıç acoustic consultant: std, sorgun akkor architectural lighting consulting: zkld studio sound & media screen systems consultancy: ateksis dış tic. ltd. şti. glass & alum. facade: arte yapı sistemleri metal mesh cladding: arte yapı sistemleri steel works: modül çelik / umd wood works & furniture: nurus site area: 11.700 m² construction area: 13.708 m² photography: emre dörter starting date of design: 11.01.2011 starting date of construction: 11.01.2011 completion date of design: 11.02.2011 completion date of construction: 23.06.2011

tabanlioglu architects: sipopo congress center

istanbul design week 2011 (3)

tabanlioglu architects (6)

world architecture festival 2011 (18)