selgascano plans playful design in beijing with yellow exhibition hall

A Grand Public Exhibition hall

Spanish architecture studio Selgascano has won a design competition for its newly proposed Xicheng District Urban Exhibition Hall, which will soon stand as a vibrant addition to Beijing. Composed of two distinct yet integrated parts, this playful and futuristic structure will redefine how public spaces interact with their urban surroundings. The building’s design merges functionality and visual harmony, offering an engaging public exhibition area and an intimate rooftop sanctuary.

At ground level, the project will present a spacious public exhibition hall, with expansive transparent facades that invite the community to interact with cultural displays. The transparency of these glass walls will connect the interior to the urban environment, lending an open, dynamic exchange between the city and the building. This creates a fluid connection between the interiors and the sidewalk, encouraging a continuous movement of visitors engaging with the cultural content within.

visualizations © selgascano

selgascano’s conceptual ‘Urban Living Room’

The architects at selgascano design the ground floor of the Beijing exhibition hall as a series of transitional zones that blend public and private spaces. It will act as an ‘urban living room,’ where social spaces such as a cafeteria, reading room, and workshop will encourage interaction and collaboration, as these areas will encourage spontaneous gatherings and offer the local community a space for social and cultural activities. Thus, the architecture itself will serve as an invitation to the city, encouraging public participation in the various programs offered.

The interior spaces are designed to be flexible and adaptable to the diverse needs of its users. Moveable furniture and modular layouts allow for a wide range of activities, from informal meetings to organized events. This flexibility ensures that the building remains responsive to the changing demands of the community, evolving over time to serve various functions. Exhibition areas showcase the cultural richness of Beijing, integrating local art and history with contemporary design, further solidifying the building’s role as a community hub.

the building is divided between a public exhibition space and a private rooftop area

a Private Sanctuary Above beijing

Above the exhibition hall will be the building’s key feature — a rooftop plaza, which selgascano plans as a communal garden over Beijing. This elevated space will function as an artificial landscape, bringing together natural elements like greenery and water features with urban design. Meanwhile, sculptural furniture and other installations will transform the rooftop into a relaxing gathering place, offering a retreat from the busy city below. The roof plaza will blur the lines between public and private, providing a shared space that feels both natural and urban.

Suspended above the rooftop plaza will be a smaller three-floor building, designed as a more private, organic space. Its fluid, sculptural form will contrast with the linearity of the structure below, creating a sense of balance between the different elements. This upper building will serve as a quiet retreat for private meetings, presentations, and business events, offering a tranquil space in the midst of the urban environment. The design provides a secluded area that feels removed from the the city while maintaining a visual connection to it.

a rooftop plaza offers a communal gathering space with greenery and urban elements