Project: Ice Cube -XinXiang Cultural Tourism Centre
Award: Colour in Architecture, Silver, 2022
Location: Henan Province, China
Design practice: Beijing PRO Lighting Design Co Ltd
Client: Henan Rongchuang Development Co.Ltd.
This tourist centre – set in Xinjiang’s new winter sports district - features nine "ice cubes" arranged around and on top of each other in a twisting formation. Each cube is around 17 metres high with a glass panelled facade suspended by stainless steel cables and minimal steel connections.
By day the ice cubes’ glass walls appear a cool and stylish white while at night time colourful lights of blue, white and purple magically transform the sculptural building in to a fairy tale art installation. Blue and white tones give the impression of ice and snow, while the subtle blue and purple tones resemble ice flowers. The dreamy colours flow slowly up the cubes and reflect off each other. A sky lounge at the top of the building offers 360 degree views of the surrounding landscape.
Design highlights
The facades are composed of translucent ice crystals that filter the light and mimic the patterns of frost condensation. The façade reflects the sky, its appearance changing depending on the time of day and year and where the building is being observed from. When viewed from the west, the upper cube shifts to the side, cantilevering 34m above the ground. Seen from the south, the building seems to float on the surface of the lake.
Photo Credit: TOPIA Vision
- ARCHITECTS: Zone of Utopia and Mathieu Forest Architecte
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS: Hassell Shanghai
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Tianjin Taiyang and Hi-tech Curtain Wall Co., Ltd.