The “Smart Ring,” designed by Powerhouse Company, is situated along the main road of Chengdu’s new district in China’s vibrant metropolis. This building combines two functional zones: a technology exhibition hall and a reception center. Its striking aesthetic appeal and cultural significance establish it as an iconic landmark. Furthermore, its flowing structure creates an inviting public space with an undulating rooftop walkway, making the “Ring of Wisdom” highly accessible and engaging. Rather than being a distant symbol, it encourages exploration and integrates seamlessly into daily activities like walking or jogging.
The building features a continuous circular form characterized by a blend of prototype universality and organic geometric design, making it unique and easily recognizable. Originally intended as two temporary structures, the design’s refined quality, elegant lines, and intricate integration with the landscape impressed the owners so deeply that they decided to make it a permanent installation. The design of the “Ring of Wisdom” redefines temporary architecture into a sustainable, long-lasting concept.
Positioning the Ring of Wisdom
The project’s client, Ziguang Haikuo Group, a smart city operator, tasked Powerhouse Company with designing a technology exhibition museum and a reception center as part of the Tianfu Xincheng development near Chengdu’s bustling metropolitan area. In the future, the Smart Ring will also serve as a gymnasium and an arts and beauty complex for the adjacent school.
During site visits, the architects observed the gentle natural slopes surrounding the location, which is situated on a subtle hill. Unlike many Chinese projects where such terrain is flattened, Powerhouse Company embraced the natural topography, using it as a unique design foundation to introduce an organic and soft experience within the urban environment. By shaping a circular path that follows the landscape’s contours, two independent functional buildings merge into a unified structure. As the rooftop walkway ascends, it forms an undulating roof that defines the architectural space beneath. This design transforms the building into a multi-level landscape trail, bringing the natural environment into and around the structure.
The organic, streamlined form of the Wisdom Ring echoes the mountainous range surrounding the Chengdu Plain. Embedded within the landscape, it functions as an open public space designed to attract visitors who can walk, run, or simply enjoy the scenic views. Its shape, reminiscent of a Möbius strip, combined with exceptional construction quality and cutting-edge technology, symbolizes human intelligence and reflects the high-tech characteristics of Ziguang.
Red Trail
The rooftop walkway extends 698 meters and rises up to 25 meters above ground level. From this vantage point, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of verdant green spaces and distant mountains. The walkway’s surface is made from plastic track material commonly used in athletics, making it ideal for walking and running. Its vibrant red color sharply contrasts with the surrounding lush greenery, enhancing its visibility and appeal.
The roof surfaces flanking the trail are clad in custom aluminum panels. A total of 15,218 uniquely shaped aluminum pieces, each with individual contours and numeric codes, were assembled to create a seamless, scale-like skin. Functional elements such as LED lighting, gutters, and handrails are carefully concealed, ensuring a sleek, streamlined silhouette that enhances the elegance and simplicity of the Smart Ring.
Underneath the red roof, the exhibition space features wood-grain ceilings and wide-open views that harmonize with the surrounding landscape, creating a warm, natural ambiance. The exterior walls are reinforced with glass ribs to enhance structural integrity, supporting a 13-meter-high transparent glass curtain wall. This design blurs the boundary between interior and exterior, further strengthening the connection to nature.
A Bold New Landmark
Located in Tianfu New Area, Chengdu, Sichuan, Purple Light Tianfu Xincheng is a major development project along Tianfu Avenue. The “Ring of Wisdom” stands beside the main artery of Tianfu Avenue, capturing attention with its flowing form and vivid red color. At night, its LED lighting system transforms the structure into a glowing sculpture. As the first completed building in the development, it has become a symbolic landmark of the future community, attracting new residents.
Besides designing the Smart Ring, Powerhouse Company acted as a consultant for the overall development project, which includes residential buildings, offices, shopping centers, and schools. The architects are also responsible for other buildings within the project, such as a mixed-use industrial office complex currently under construction.
A Shortcut to the Future
The entire Smart Ring project covers 5,000 square meters, including interior and landscape design. Leveraging advanced parametric drawing tools and Building Information Modeling (BIM), the design process progressed swiftly from sketches to blueprints within just a few days. Despite a six-hour time difference between Powerhouse Company’s Rotterdam headquarters and China, technology facilitated efficient communication, ensuring smooth collaboration and workflow.
Adjacent to the Smart Ring, a new school will be constructed. During the project’s second phase, the Smart Ring will be transformed into a sports arena and an arts and beauty complex, featuring Olympic-standard running tracks while retaining its role as a community hub. This functional flexibility guarantees the building’s longevity and inherent sustainability.
Design Drawings
△ Plan View
△ Roof Plan
△ East Elevation View
△ North Elevation View
△ Eaves Details
Project Information
Project Type: Museum
Location: Chengdu, China
Architectural Design: Powerhouse Company
Area: 5,000 m²
Year: 2020
Lead Partners: Stijn Kemper, Nanne de Ru
Project Manager: Niels Baljet
Team Members: Wang Rui, Albert Takashi Richters, Maarten Diederix, Meagan Kerr, Remko van der Vorm, Daan Masmeijer, Michiel Bosch, Niek Koning, Stavros Voskaris, Filip Galić, Severino Iritano, Davide del Sante, Reto Egli, Penny Uni, Dries Brøns, Caroline Desplan, Eli Keijser, Gert Ververs, Giovanni Andrea Coni, Rafael Zarza Garciá, Yanni Huang, Kimi Fei
Local Architecture Partner: Chengdu Benchmark Fangzhong Architectural Design Co., Ltd.
Landscape Design: AECOM, Wisto
Interior Design: Zhengzhong Interior Design (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. + Flyaround
Urban Planning: Woods Berg
HVAC Engineering: Chengdu Benchmark Fangzhong Architectural Design Co., Ltd.
Structural Engineering: Chengdu Benchmark Fangzhong Architectural Design Co., Ltd.
Curtain Wall Engineering: Chengdu Benchmark Fangzhong Architectural Design Co., Ltd.
Lighting Consultant: Mingjiahui
Construction: Civil Engineering by China Construction Second Engineering Bureau Second Construction Engineering Co., Ltd.; Curtain Wall by Kelida Decoration
Renderings: Mir., Art Nest
Photography: Lei Tantan
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up