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Pan Long Gu Valley Conference and Exhibition Centre progressing well on site
Designed by Beijing-based architecture practice Atelier 11, the Pan Long Gu Valley Conference and Exhibition Centre is rapidly approaching completion. The voluminous civic complex rises up out of an artificially created landscape in Ji County, taking inspiration from the surrounding Panshan Mountain Park.
Located on a hilly terrain, this expressive facility sprung from a challenging brief. The difference between the highest and lowest regions of the site is 40m meaning that the ground level had to be altered at several points before construction work could commence. Still, the pure white Centre undulates across this hilly plain, mirroring the ripples of the earth in its geometric design.
Atelier 11 explains: “Inspired by the essential techniques and expression of layers and spatiality in the traditional Chinese painting, the arrangement of these geometric forms are planned as if they were overlapping mountains, scattered rocks, flowing water, and sunken gullies as an echo to the natural landscape around.”
The building’s external facade and roof are coated in white aluminium perforated plates which enable streams of light to illuminate the interior volumes, with grey stone implemented as flooring with a range of textures and finishes. Atelier 11’s choice of building materials was inspired by the copious amounts of soft white limestone found in the Valley.
Due for completion in late 2011, the 37,000 sq m facility will offer conference, exhibition and performance units, each specifically designed for a particular function but left with a level of flexibility to meet the changing needs of the building’s users.
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