MAD Architects sculpts this tent-like structure beneath the snowy mountains of Yabuli, a ski town in China‘s Heilongjiang Province. The town is well-known as hosts is the largest snow training center in the country, and the longest alpine ski slope in Asia.
While Yabuli is renowned as an international destination, the massive project will introduce a wide range of programs suited to accomodate the large amount of visitors. Programming includes a library, exhibition halls, and more than 20 well-equipped multi-functional rooms. Going forward, the space will host the annual China Entrepreneurs Forum (CEF), the Chinese Entrepreneurs Museum, and other similar conferences and corporate programs — all below one sculptural roof.
images courtesy of MAD architects | @madarchitects
the team at MAD Architects (see more here) designs its Yabuli congress center to visually blend into the rolling, snow-covered hills of its natural context. From afar, the structure suggests colossal white tent which might float down the slopes before softly dissipating into the snow. The gentle profile of the roof echoes that of the distant snow-capped mountains while the texture of the white aluminum panels implies a wind-blown softness like fresh powder.
Inside, MAD architects organizes its Yabuli Congress Center to adapt to the dramatic slope of its site. The layout and circulation levels the interiors so that part of the building is embedded into the earth. The main entrance is on the ground floor by the east side but the side entrance and exit are located on the second floor by the west side. While walking uphill in the snow, people see this structure as a humble gesture with open arms. The far ends of the curved roof cantilever up to 20 meters to provide shelter for passersby from the snow and winds.
Meanwhile, floor-to-ceiling glass curtain walls frame both the east and west sides of the building, while the north and south facades blend into the sunken courtyard landscape. All MEP terminals are designed to be not visible while the louvered openings are set in the sunken garden underground, allowing for a smooth visual continuity between the curve on the façade and the interior walls.
the soft geometry of the aluminum roof implies a blanket of fresh snow
MAD architects celebrates the mountains of Yabuli with its sculptural congress center
the cantilevering roof provides shelter from the snow and winds
warm, timber interiors create a welcoming oasis from the icy surroundings
a skylight overhead floods the space with natural sunlight
the undulating interiors continue the softness of the project’s signature rooftop
project title: yabuli entrepreneurs congress center
location: Yabuli, Heilongjiang Province, China
principal partners in charge: Ma Yansong, Dang Qun, Yosuke Hayano associate partners in charge: 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
client: China Entrepreneur Forum executive architects: China Architecture Design & Research Group façade consultant: RFR Shanghai, Kighton Façade Consultant landscape architects: BJF International Design interior design consultant: Shanghai Xian Dai Architectural Decoration & Landscape Design Research Institute Co., Ltd. lighting consultant: Brandston Partnership Inc. signage consultant: Dongdao Creative Branding Group acoustics consultant: Beijing Tsinghua Tongheng Urban Planning & Design Institute LEED consultant: AECOM Beijing
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