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Striking new information centre in Shanghai
At the end of the entrance avenue, the information center is unique by its location. Inserted between the two first main exhibition halls, it has to stay different; to mark the point to where the visitors are coming and to signal the furniture exhibition park. Its shape is unique. Looking like an opened flower, it welcomes the visitors.
Its red colour makes it a bright landmark in the centre of the plaza. The large opened petals enable the heart of the building to be visible from outside; a black glass pyramid. Shining in the day, it becomes translucent at night when the interior lighting makes it sparkle from the inside.
The architects have enlarged the nearby pond in order to situate the entire pavilion on top of it, in keeping the perception of the pond for people walking around.
From the pavilion, two large entrances guide the visitor to the interior. On the right, large steps take them to the hall, 1.5m above the pond level. These steps provide some places to sit while waiting for the bus.
In the hall the visitors can find everything they need on a long desk.
The multifunction room is established at a level of 4.5m; this level is under the water but without being a basement. The visitors travel through the space by long steps and stairs, which connect the entrance level and the multifunction room level in the same volume. These steps can be easily transformed as a theatre to organise different exhibition scenographies. This big room is also directly connected from outside by the long steps down on the left side. It is suitable for some specific deliveries and for special autonomous use.
The VIP enters the pavilion from the left where their hall is located near the offices.
From this hall they reach the VIP rooms on the mezzanine by the lift or the stairs.
Storage, toilets and services are provided on every level.
The structure is organised by three masts which overpass the highest point of the building and increase its signal effect.
The facades are made of shiny red painted aluminium panels.
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