Located in the southeast corner along the coast, the city of Xiamen is intimately connected to the sea, blending urban life with maritime energy. Historically, Xiamen’s unique geography and vibrant local culture have imbued it with a romantic, artistic, and refreshing atmosphere. Known affectionately as ‘Qindao’ and defined by the rhythmic sound of waves crashing onto sandy shores, the city carries a distinct sense of rhythm. Architecture, often described as ‘frozen music,’ captures this rhythm, which was the core inspiration behind our design.
The rhythmic quality is evident in the building’s facade, where columns of varying widths create a dynamic visual cadence. The spatial layout was designed to evoke a sense of immersion: the front courtyard acts as a prologue to the entire space, with each segment clearly distinct, guiding visitors along a journey marked by rhythm. Beneath the expansive overhanging canopy, this space not only delineates indoor and outdoor areas but also functions as a pivotal transition point at the end of the linear pathway.
Passing through the front courtyard, visitors enter an interlude—a transitional space that guides movement from the exterior to the interior. This carefully crafted spatial sequence not only extends the forward progression but also realigns sightlines and axes, creating a harmonious dialogue with the exhibition center’s front facade.
Entering the exhibition center marks the climax of the architectural experience. Visitors pass through a gray-toned column-free corridor characterized by wide outer spans that narrow and rise inwardly. From the outside, this corridor forms a solid physical barrier that conceals the interior, invoking a sense of anticipation. Through a high, narrow, semi-circular arched doorway, the interior space suddenly opens, revealing a clear and elevated environment. This contrast of compression and release is the defining moment in the spatial narrative, seamlessly bridging indoor and outdoor realms.
The charm of Xiamen stems from its blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles, a quality that shaped the character of this project. The use of circular arches symbolizes this fusion, reinterpreted here through modern materials and techniques. These semi-circular arch elements interact gracefully with the surrounding water landscape, resembling a rising moon over the sea. The interplay of light and shadow on these forms reflects the natural rhythms of tides and moon phases, evoking a poetic connection to Egret Island’s cultural heritage and contemporary aesthetics.
“Let light do the design” is a classic quote by architect I.M. Pei, and it perfectly captures the essence of this project. Light, nature’s most beautiful gift, brings buildings to life by shaping their shadows. Contemporary aesthetics favor simplicity, refinement, and elegance over ornate decoration. The building’s exterior employs geometric and sculptural forms distilled into minimalist shapes. Meticulously crafted metal lines at key intersections emphasize modern craftsmanship. Raised and recessed elements, animated by light and shadow, highlight the dynamic interplay of form and detail. The unique blue-gray ink wash stone maintains the building’s understated island style. Modular cuts create a facade that is both cohesive and varied. Edge lighting emphasizes architectural contours, while the hanging corridor’s gray space is illuminated by a series of point lights of varying sizes, creating a flowing play of light and shadow. Walking through this corridor evokes the sensation of strolling beneath a starry sky, leaving a lasting impression.
Project Drawings:
▲ First Floor Plan
▲ Roof Plan
▲ East Elevation View
▲ West Elevation View
▲ South Elevation View
▲ North Elevation View
▲ Sectional View
▲ Architectural Layers
Project Information:
Project Name: Qianhai Bay Exhibition Center
Location: Aotou Characteristic Town, Xiang’an South New City, Xiamen City
Land Area: 3,200 square meters
Building Area: 560 square meters
Design & Completion: July – October 2018
Designer: PTA Shanghai Botao
Office Website: __AI_ST_URL_0__
Lead Architects: Yu Xiaolei, Zhang Lifu
Design Team: Xia Yu, Wang Zhong, Wang Gang, Wang Xin, Wang Lehua, Song Ruyang, Li Wei, Zhou Qing
Owners: Jindi Group, China Resources Land, Guomao Real Estate
Landscape Design: Wudao International
Interior Design: Matrix Vertical and Horizontal
Photography: Mr. Zeng Jianghe
Main Materials: Blue-gray ink stone, aluminum veneer, glass
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up