Chengdu, renowned as one of China’s first national historical and cultural cities and often called the “Land of Abundance,” is home to the Tianfu Airport New City. Located southeast of Chengdu’s city center, this vibrant development zone embodies a vision of sustainable urban growth. It transforms farmland into a dynamic area, highlighting new possibilities for urban planning, nature integration, and economic expansion.
Project Overview © MARS Studio
The Tianfu Water Conference Center is situated in the northern part of Chengdu Tianfu International Airport New City and plays a pivotal role in the future development of this area. Unlike typical conference centers, this project is nestled beside a picturesque lake on the city’s outskirts. The nearby Tianfu International Airport, a major future hub for travel between China and Europe, is expected to bring significant growth opportunities to the region.
This building, reminiscent of a paradise, serves as a hub for future exchanges across finance, business, trade, scientific research, manufacturing, and logistics. Adjacent to an urban forest park, the conference center’s completion is set to energize local tourism and stimulate diverse developments surrounding the area.
The building is located in a scenic area on the outskirts of the city, adjacent to the urban forest park © MARS Studio
Though highly geometric and futuristic in appearance, the design draws inspiration from traditional Chinese architecture, particularly the sloping roofs and landscaped courtyards. These elements shape the spatial organization of the complex and support the building’s multifunctional nature.
Traditional roof style © MARS Studio
Courtyards, bridges, platforms, and public spaces © MARS Studio
△ Facade © MARS Studio
△ Roofs, solid wood walls, and glass © MARS Studio
The building’s facade features a harmonious blend of solid wood and glass, arranged rhythmically to resemble gentle water ripples that reflect the surrounding natural landscape. Solid wood, a material with a rich history in Chinese architecture, integrates the building seamlessly into its environment, symbolizing tradition. Complementing this, the modern glass facade reflects the sparkling lake and dense forests, painting a poetic natural scene onto the structure.
Vertically, varying depths of glass panels create a corrugated surface, adding texture to the facade. The combination of dark glass and wooden blinds not only enhances aesthetics but also effectively reduces direct sunlight, contributing to the building’s energy efficiency and environmental friendliness.
Partial bird’s-eye view: Visitors can experience the lake’s surface from the first-floor waterfront terrace steps © MARS Studio
Each floor offers spacious, open outdoor terraces accessible to the public, serving as a natural city living room. Residents and visitors alike can gather here to connect and appreciate the surrounding nature. The first-level waterfront terrace invites guests to immerse themselves in the lake’s breeze, sunshine, and fresh air, fostering a deep connection with the environment.
The entire building resembles a small island extending from a dense forest. At its core are the conference center, exhibition hall, and multipurpose hall. Surrounding these are facilities including a lecture hall, conference rooms, a small theater, cinema, and restaurant. The central top floor is crowned by a cluster of roofs forming a serene urban Zen temple, offering a peaceful retreat for guests.
Indoor corridors and outdoor bridges connect the various sections, with landscaped courtyards between buildings that echo the distant mountains and forests, adding spiritual depth and vitality to the design.
△ Night view © MARS Studio
The design of the Tianfu Water Conference Center achieves a seamless integration between architecture and nature—buildings grow within nature, and nature permeates the urban fabric. It aspires to connect people, the city, and the natural environment, forming a spiritual urban island where humanity and nature coexist harmoniously.
Project Drawings
△ Model diagram
△ Model diagram
△ Model diagram
△ Model diagram
Project Information
Project Name: Tianfu Water Conference Center
Designer: MARS Studio Planet Architecture Firm
Project Design & Year of Completion: 2019–2023
Main Creators and Design Team: Ma Ning, Liu Wenhao, Qin Yu, Zheng Meng, Wang Fangting, Zhang Kun
Project Location: Chengdu, China
Partner: CCDI International
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