Mirrored facade with indirect lighting and gable roof with wooden elements: The BeiChen exhibition center in China cleverly maintains the balance between tradition and modernity. The striking building combines functionality and style in one and impresses with a timelessly elegant architectural concept. It is the perfect example of an effective interaction full of contrasts. Successful contrasts characterize the overall picture: While the roof and the external stairs celebrate the curved silhouette of a traditional Chinese house, the generously glazed facade is discreetly hidden in the background. We present to you the project from PTArchitects, with which the talented team has already caused a sensation in its home country.
The mirrored facade allows the gable roof to make its grand entrance
DieGable roofs are traditionalan important part of Chinese architecture. The architects from PTArchitects wanted to honor Far Eastern architecture with their project and therefore decided to interpret the dynamics of the Chinese roof in a modern way. For example, the roof rafters taper to a point and, like the traditional gable roofs from Hainan province, are crowned with a finishing element. The classic building material in China – wood – was also used extensively in this project. The roof of the exhibition center is constructed from local wood species, creating a visual connection between the modern building and the traditional Chinese houses nearby.
The mirrored façade with generously glazed areas directly under the roof creates an exciting contrast to the elaborately designed gable roof. It discreetly fades into the background and allows it to make its grand entrance. The many windows give the gable roof a floating character and celebrate a victory of the lightness of minimalist architecture over gravity.
Mirrored facade as a modern accent
The completely mirrored facade, which we know from many public construction projects that were built in the early noughties, is clearly a thing of the past. The danger is too great for small animals and birds who cannot recognize the obstacles in their path. Instead, many architects in China are now choosing to incorporate mirrored elements into the facade. The mirrored railings and windows break up the otherwise classic look of the building and allow plenty of sunlight into the exhibition rooms. Subtle wooden elements decorate the facade on the ground floor and protect the interior from the strong rays of the sun in summer.
Water played an important role in the design of the front garden
The front garden adds the final touch to the architectural project. It is characterized by a harmony between the individual elements: water, natural stone and lighting. A minimalist garden pond is an absolute eye-catcher both during the day and in the evening. In sunlight, the mosaic and natural stones on its floor create exciting accents, and after sunset, underwater lights sparkle in the depths. A small sunken garden in the middle of the pond offers seating for visitors. Garden lanterns illuminate the garden paths in the evening and give the outdoor area character.
Large sliding glass doors offer the opportunity to create a seamless transition between inside and outside during the summer months. By the way, there are hardly any walls in the rooms on the ground floor either. Complicated shelving systems and sliding doors can divide the living space into different areas at the organizer's request. Otherwise, the architects decided to make the interior as open as possible. Several exhibition areas with comfortable seating areas, a video room, a restaurant and a café are located in the large building volume. The smaller one houses the staff offices.
The project by the Chinese architectural firm PTArchitects fascinates with an innovative concept that combines tradition and modernity in one. From the wooden gable roof, to the mirrored facade and stair railings, to the minimalist garden pond: the individual elements create a harmonious overall picture and at the same time create exciting contrasts that make the exhibition center in Hainan Province a real eye-catcher.
Project byPTArchitects
