technology center by reform in china hovers above xinglong lake like an interstellar halo

located on a water-side slope at the east bank of xinglong lake, in china, the roadshow center by architecture studio reform looks like an interstellar halo that landed on earth. the distinct design proposal seeks to be organically integrated with the environment, while at the same time, to match the temperament of surrounding high-tech companies. 

bird view
all images courtesy of reform

the design by reform has been fine-tuned based on the current topography, hiding the main exhibition hall under the slightly raised hill, and integrating the building with the lakeside park. at the top of the hill, an oval roadshow square is designed like a crater. with the gentle slope of the park lawn, visitors can enter the square from different directions. the square is gently concave towards the center, and the subtle inclination inspires different ways for the visitors to interact with the square, such as by standing, sitting, or lying down.

roadshow square

the main exhibition hall is situated below the roadshow square, with the circular skylight of the exhibition hall protruding from the square, and forming a glass stage in its center. the ring-shaped frosted glass shading roof is supported by three small peaks, dimly reflecting the lake, sky, and grass. in addition, it features built-in LED lamp beads, to providing interesting light shows. the smooth circular roof contrasts with the rough crater square below, like a spaceship docked on the surface of the moon.

night view

the integration of the roadshow center and the park’s sloping landscape makes the space more intimate: visitors can play, picnic and party on the grass around the hills, or they can reach the entrance hall of the roadshow center close to the lake level through the paths on both sides of the hills.  a horizontally split westward opening introduces the shoreline of xinglong lake into the room, providing the best location for the restaurant to enjoy the sunset. the skylight diffuses into the room through the gap between the restaurant and the roof of the main exhibition hall, leaving the light and shadow of sunlight and clouds on the inclined white concrete wall.

mainhall conference scene

the main exhibition hall is an elliptical column-free space with a height of 8 meters, with a regular shape and a fully artificially controllable sound and light environment, which can support different functional requirements such as publishing, catwalks, exhibitions, and screenings. in the center of the dome of the main exhibition hall, a circular skylight connects the underground exhibition space with the sky. when the sunlight gathers down, it creates a sense of ritual like a pantheon. ‘this is a temple dedicated to technology’ the architects share.

parkview

the circular ramp climbing along the inner wall of the main exhibition hall seamlessly connects the two multifunctional exhibition spaces, the open-air roadshow square and the indoor main exhibition hall, inspiring more experimental curatorial possibilities. the roadshow center is both born in the environment and detached from the status quo, familiar and unfamiliar, primitive and future, floating on the ground, hovering between mountains and rivers.

entrance hall

restaurant

south view

roadshow square music festival scene

roadshow square outdoor cinema scene

mainhall fashion show scene

mainhall art exhibition scene

project info:

name: xinglong lake roadshow center
architecture office: reform
project team: sai shu, mark wang, ava zhong, qiaoqi dai, yingfei wang
location: xinglong lake, china

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edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom