AZL architects tops internet conference center in rural china with zigzag roof

AZL architects have completed the 3,000 sqm ‘shitang internet conference center’ in nanjing, china. developed as a ‘small internet town’, the aim is for the expensive building to work as a multi-functional space aiming to establish public buildings in a rural context.

‘the trend of modernization and urbanization in  rural development inevitably requires the introduction of new types of functions. as multi-functional buildings with large space, the internet conference center is one of them.’ – AZL architects

all images © hou bowen

the architecture interprets the form of a commune auditorium and a vegetable greenhouse. the pre-fabricated, slender column structure uses technology that enables the supportive and elongated nature that at the same time, restores the primitive feeling of rural villages. in order to meet the multi-functional needs of the conferences and cultural performances planned for the future, the project of the internet conference center was proposed by the local government and will be essential to the future industrial transformation in the countryside.

AZL architects adopted the dual-slope roof from combining the design features of two larger-scale buildings seen in the chinese countryside: commune auditoriums and green houses. the versatile nature will allow it to become a venue for villagers to gather together for folk customs. the assembled structure is the development of the light steel structure similar to the system used in green houses. despite its complexity, the rational construction logic allows the build to not disrupt the natural environment.

inside, the vast height of the ceilings and the building itself can be fully experienced. the floorplan has been divided into three main sections; the largest being the auditorium hall. one side opens onto rooms available for private use and the other, a view directly to the mountainous surroundings.

the slender columns support the oversized canopy that provides an area of shelter

the building uses mostly timber and sleep construction

AZL architects combined the typologies of large commune auditoriums and greenhouse to create the structure

located 40 kilometers to the southwest of nanjing, the village has been gradually expanding and ‘improving’

the largest room is the auditorium hall

the project introduced pre-fab and innovative techniques to the rural surroundings

the shitang internet conference center at dusk

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project info:

name: shitang internet conference center
location: nanjing, jiangsu province
function: conference
total floor area: 3000 sqm
design/completion: 2016/10.15.2016
design organization: AZL architects
cooperative organization: institute of architecture design and planing co.,ltd.of nanjing university
shanghai tongji steel structure technology,ltd
architect: zhong huaying, zhang lei
design team: zhong huaying, zhang lei, xi hong
photographer: yao li, hou bowen

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