△ Vision © Aoguan Architectural Vision
The permanent venue of the Yabuli Entrepreneur Forum, commissioned by the China Entrepreneur Forum (CEF) and designed by MAD Architects under Ma Yansong’s leadership, has been completed. Recently, a plaque unveiling ceremony was held in Yabuli, Heilongjiang, marking the official opening of the Entrepreneur Museum. From November 18 to 20, 2020, the 20th Annual Conference of the Yabuli China Entrepreneur Forum took place here, drawing over 600 entrepreneurs from across the country.
△ 20th Anniversary Celebration of China Entrepreneur Forum © China Entrepreneur Forum
Liu Yonghao, Chairman of New Hope Group and 2019-2020 Rotating Chairman of the Yabuli China Entrepreneur Forum, delivering a speech © China Entrepreneur Forum
Chen Dongsheng, Chairman of the China Entrepreneur Forum, delivering a speech © China Entrepreneur Forum
△ China Entrepreneur Forum Youth Forum Site © China Entrepreneur Forum
The China Entrepreneur Forum (CEF) is a renowned international platform initiated by China’s leading private entrepreneurs to foster idea exchange. Founded in 2001—the same year China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO)—the forum currently includes 78 council members such as Chen Dongsheng, Tian Yuan, Ma Yun, Robin Li, Lei Jun, Liu Yonghao, Wang Shi, Yang Yuanqing, Guo Guangchang, Yu Minhong, and Feng Lun.
For two decades, members have convened every winter in Yabuli for annual meetings and to share innovative ideas, earning Yabuli the nickname “China’s Davos.”
In 2017, CEF decided to establish a permanent venue in Yabuli to create a cultural landmark that embodies the entrepreneurial spirit. Nestled amidst mountains and forests, the location symbolizes entrepreneurs’ resilience and fearless pursuit of dreams, making Yabuli a hub of raw vitality and creativity.
△ Yabuli Entrepreneur Forum Permanent Venue Vision © Existence of buildings
The permanent venue is situated along the axis of the Northern Snow Mountain. Its silver-white roof and curtain wall harmonize with the snowy landscape, resembling a large tent pitched at the mountain’s base – a space where people gather around a campfire to share ideas.
A massive glass skylight crowns the building, channeling natural daylight into the interior during the day. At night, the illuminated structure glows like a bonfire, symbolizing the entrepreneurial spirit ignited by collective effort and ambition.
Inside, wooden walls and abundant natural light foster a warm, inviting atmosphere. Outside, the public square and glass skybridge extend the seamless integration of architecture with nature.
△ Yabuli Entrepreneur Forum Permanent Venue Vision © Existence of buildings
The Yabuli Entrepreneur Forum’s permanent venue features a distinctive Glass Covered Bridge © Existence of buildings
△ Yabuli Entrepreneur Forum Permanent Venue Coffee Shop © Existence of buildings
Beyond hosting meetings, the venue includes multiple functional spaces such as museums, conference halls, and studios. This “permanent venue” acts as a multifunctional complex integrating conferences, training, think tanks, and more. It remains open to the public on weekdays.
Visitors can explore the China Entrepreneur Museum to learn about a century of entrepreneurial history or participate in smaller events held in the lobby’s public areas.
△ Aerial View of the Permanent Venue of Yabuli Entrepreneur Forum © Aoguan Architectural Vision
The Glass Covered Bridge is a signature feature of the Yabuli Entrepreneur Forum permanent venue © Aoguan Architectural Vision
△ Yabuli Entrepreneur Forum Permanent Venue Hall © Aoguan Architectural Vision
△ Interior view of the Yabuli Entrepreneur Forum Permanent Venue Hall © Existence of buildings
△ Yabuli Entrepreneur Forum Permanent Venue Hall © Aoguan Architectural Vision
△ Another view of the Permanent Venue Hall © Aoguan Architectural Vision
△ Yabuli Entrepreneur Forum Permanent Venue Hall © Aoguan Architectural Vision
The permanent venue was collectively funded and constructed by 50 entrepreneur directors and is owned by public welfare organizations, making it a valuable social asset. As Chen Dongsheng, Chairman of CEF, stated, “The permanent venue of the Yabuli Entrepreneur Forum stands as a sacred spiritual hall for Chinese private entrepreneurs, reflecting 40 years of reform and opening up.”
This milestone marks a significant chapter in Chinese entrepreneurial history, symbolizing CEF’s evolution from “China’s Davos” to “the world’s Yabuli.”
△ Yabuli Entrepreneur Forum Permanent Venue Zhongjing © Existence of buildings
△ Roof view of the permanent venue © CreatAR Images
Project Information
Project Name: Permanent Venue of Yabuli Entrepreneur Forum
Location: Yabuli, China
Construction Period: 2017–2020
Site Area: 22,000 square meters
Building Area: 16,198 square meters
Building Height: 23.3 meters
Lead Partners: Ma Yansong, Party Masses, Yokosuke Hayano
Lead Vice Partners: Liu Huiying, Tiffany Dahlen
Design Team: Li Guangchong, Sun Shouquan, Deng Wei, Song Chi, Zhang Xiaomei, Huai Wei, Zhao Meng, Wang Shuobin, Zhang Yanru, Yuki Ishigami, Xiao Ying, Tian Jin
Owner: China Entrepreneur Forum
Grade A Design Institute: China Architecture Design Institute
Curtain Wall Consultants: Afa Architectural Design Consulting (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai Kaiteng Curtain Wall Design Consulting Co., Ltd.
Landscape Design: BJF (Baojifeng) International Design
Interior Consultant: Shanghai Modern Architectural Decoration Environment Design Institute Co., Ltd.
Lighting Design: Bi Pu Lighting Design Co., Ltd.
Logo Design: Dongdao Brand Creative Group
Acoustic Consultant: Tsinghua Tongheng Institute of Architectural Acoustics and Interior Research
Green Building Consultant: AECOM
Images: Aoguan Architecture Visual, CreatAR Images, Existence of Architecture, China Entrepreneur Forum
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