△ Project video © PTD Botao Design
On one side of the cape stands a seagull with outstretched wings, soaring toward the sea. Amid the rapid development of free trade ports, Haikou, the capital of Hainan, is focusing on setting a global example and national leadership. The city is re-examining its urban development direction to define its unique role and position in the construction and growth of free trade ports.
△ Aerial photo of Haikou International Convention and Exhibition Center Phase II © PTD Botao Design
This location holds significant memories for the people of Haikou, marking the city’s economic development journey. As a result, forward-looking exhibitions here will serve as a “window” to connect with the world. Leveraging the advantages of the Hainan Free Trade Port, Phase II of the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center will become a vital platform for national-level exhibitions, boosting the exhibition industry and supporting offshore trade development.
Soaring Wings – Departure
Hainan Island has long been a gateway for China’s economic and cultural exchanges with the world. Historically, whether during the population migration to Southeast Asia or as a key node on the Maritime Silk Road, Hainan has shared a rich story of global interaction.
The sunset scenery © PTD Botao Design
△ Architectural Model © PTD Botao Design
Phase II of the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center is situated in Xiuying District, Haikou City. Bordered by the Qiongzhou Strait to the north and Tingxiu Park to the south, it lies just 1.2 kilometers from the Haikou Municipal Government. The total construction area covers 198,613 square meters.
Day and Night © PTD Botao Design
At the outset, the design team faced challenges such as limited land availability, coordinating the new and existing venues from the first and second phases, integrating large-scale buildings into a compact urban environment, and reflecting Hainan’s culture. By adopting a “fusion” approach, the team successfully harmonized the old and new venues, integrated the building with the urban space, and blended local culture with functional design.
The soaring seagull © PTD Botao Design
△ South District Convention and Exhibition Center Elevation © PTD Botao Design
Ocean Elements – Interior and Exterior
Hainan Island, China’s second-largest island, is surrounded by the sea. This inspired the design team to center marine elements in their concept. They extended the ocean-inspired design of the original building while also considering user comfort. Given Hainan’s hot climate, the team aimed to create a welcoming public space with an elegant, lightweight architectural presence.
△ Main entrance © PTD Botao Design
The building is envisioned as a seagull gliding over the ocean, facing the city’s green axis with grace and lightness. This symbolizes Hainan’s revival amid new policies and a new era.
△ Realistic roof view © PTD Botao Design
The intersecting structural grid of the internal hyperbolic saddle reveals the ocean’s inner mysteries. Sunlight filters through the tranquil museum like a prism, casting colorful, vibrant hues.
△ Indoor real-life picture © PTD Botao Design
Garden Tour in All Directions – View
The poem “Islands divided into different countries, the Milky Way shared a day” captures the islands’ unique beauty. Inspired by this, the landscape design preserves the islands’ cultural identity, crafting a garden landscape with ocean-themed elements based on green belts and blue trails.
△ Outdoor water scene realistic picture © PTD Botao Design
The ground features an innovative colored asphalt design, which not only protects against damage from heavy equipment but also integrates marine culture, producing a landscape that is both practical and visually appealing.
△ Realistic picture © PTD Botao Design
‘Agile and Graceful’ – Form
The seagull’s wings depend on its lightweight body. Faced with a tight construction schedule, the structural designers simplified the complex structural space of the exhibition center. To meet exhibition space requirements, the span and length of the conference center’s brackets were precisely reduced, creating a larger usable building space.
△ First floor exhibition hall © PTD Botao Design
The brackets on both sides of the exhibition hall were reduced from 9 meters to 3 meters, and the truss height compressed from 5 meters to 3 meters. This adjustment meets exhibition center requirements while enhancing architectural aesthetics.
△ Indoor corridor © PTD Botao Design
‘Integrated’ – EPC Model
Phase II of the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center is a stylized exhibition building with a lightweight volume and free, flexible form. As the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) design contractor, the project required integrating multiple challenges—design, construction, and operation—to faithfully realize the design concept, highlight the exhibition center’s features, and optimize the owner’s operational efficiency.
△ Long-range real shot © PTD Botao Design
The EPC approach is central to the project, demonstrating the designer’s comprehensive planning and control throughout the entire design process. It effectively links main design and construction with sub-projects, systematically resolving interface and coordination challenges to ensure successful completion.
△ Realistic picture © PTD Botao Design
The exhibition center project includes extensive specialized design elements such as metal roofs, steel structures, curtain walls, landscaping, lighting, signage, and prefabricated buildings. The main challenge throughout construction was coordinating the design general contractor with numerous partners, requiring deep professional expertise, technical teams, and project management.
Comparison between roof structure construction and completion © PTD Botao Design
△ Construction process
Spread Your Wings and Soar – Vision
△ Aerial photos of the venue © PTD Botao Design
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Hainan aims to transform the exhibition industry toward a new development model focused on “aggregation, sharing, and cross-border integration.” The plan emphasizes integrating tourism, modern services, high-tech industries, and tropical agriculture to build influential professional conference and exhibition brands.
△ Night view of the venue © PTD Botao Design
Currently, the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center has successfully hosted renowned domestic and international events, including the China International Consumer Goods Expo, China International Trademark and Brand Festival press conference, International Health Industry Expo, and Sports Goods and Equipment Import Expo. The completion of Phase II has significantly improved Hainan’s convention and exhibition operational efficiency, providing a premier platform to showcase and promote the free trade port.
Project Details
Project Name: Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center Phase II Expansion Project
Project Type: Key construction project and large-scale exhibition center in Hainan Province
Location: North of Binhai Avenue, Xiuying District, Haikou City
Total Land Area: 173,000 square meters
Total Construction Area: 198,613 square meters
Design Period: 2018–2020
Design Firms: Shenzhen H+L Architectural Studio, Shenzhen Botao Lansen International Architectural Design Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Botao Environmental Art Design Co., Ltd.
Lead Architect: Suddenly
Project Leader: Suddenly Wang Yajie
Architectural Scheme Design: Liu Chen, Xu Ce, Zhang Guangyu, Chen Yili, Pan Tianxiong, Ma Shubo, Zhao Yingming
Architectural Construction Drawing Design: Wang Yajie, He Lepei, Li Zhaohua, Liang Hua, Yu Xingyuan, Tian Zhiliang, Lin Xuanyong
Structural Design: Wang Xingfa, Lin Chaowei, Fang Feihu, Chen Wenyu, Wu Zhen, He Zitang, Liu Jian
Electrical Design: Nie Yingxin, Wen Bingji, Liu Peng, Shi Zhihong, Sun Qi, Liu Shang, Ye Yuhang
Water Supply and Drainage Design: Liu Xiaohui, Dai Jianru, Wu Jianjun, Li Guomin, Fan Biao
HVAC Design: Yang Jie, Hu Yong, Wei Songbai, Zhuang Xian’an, Hu Baoyu
Landscape Design: Guo Yiyuan, Long Qifeng, Yu Zhifan, Yu Xiangming, Zhang Jiaqi, Yang Long, Lai Meina, Qin Guangxia, Xie Yuanshu
Grid Design: China Academy of Building Research Co., Ltd.
Roof Design: Jiangsu Huning Steel Machinery Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Jinggong Steel Structure Group Co., Ltd.
Lighting Design: Shenzhen Daguan United Lighting Design Co., Ltd.
Interior Design: Shenzhen H+L Architecture Studio, Shenzhen Weiye Decoration Group Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Tiesan Design Co., Ltd.
Curtain Wall Design: Guangzhou Jianghe Curtain Wall System Engineering Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Sanxin Technology Development Co., Ltd.
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