kengo kuma wins competition to build wooden exhibition venue in strasbourg

japanese architect kengo kuma has won an international architecture competition to design a new exhibition center in strasbourg, france. the proposed scheme, which was chosen ahead of 117 other entries, comprises a series of vertical wooden elements that both filter daylight inside the building and support the structure’s distinctive roof canopy.

video by l’autre image © kengo kuma & associates

once complete, the new exhibition center — known as ‘PEX’ — will include a total of five exhibition halls, as well as a hilton hotel and car parking facilities. four of the exhibition halls are contained within the site’s main building, with a dedicated entrance foyer, while the fifth is found inside a separate structure on the other side of a new public plaza.

the proposal was praised for developing a close relationship with the body of water that passes the site

‘the privileged position of the exhibition park in the north of the european capital gives us the opportunity to create a new representative image for the city,’ says kengo kuma & associates. ‘the project named ‘lisières’ = ‘edge of the forest’ is composed by wooden vertical elements, both structural and filtering, which support the natural ventilated roof covering the halls. this design gives the project a unique and sober identity that echoes its environment.’

the building’s sheltered entrance encourages impromptu meetings and conversations

the building, which will be constructed using locally sourced timber, was praised by the jury for its close relationship with the river that passes the site. glazing will allow plentiful views between inside and out, while the building’s sheltered entrance encourages impromptu meetings and conversations externally as well as internally. the project is scheduled to complete by 2022.

the reception foyer is brightly and naturally illuminated

the complex will contain a total of five exhibition halls

the venue will be capable of hosting a wide variety of events

a restaurant with adjoining terrace is found on the building’s roof

the project is set to complete by 2022

project info:

architecture: kengo kuma & associates
engineering: OTE
façade engineering: elioth
sustainability: egis concept
quantity surveyor: lucigny talhouet & associés
lighting design: 8’18”
signage: l’autobus imperial