TEDA International Convention Center Tianjin, People's Republic of China

"THE FLYING FAN" "Where all good things converge" Ji Jinn Shen Fou The semi-circular shape of the Convention Center takes the form of an open fan. The building also serves as an architectural icon and significant focus for TEDA's new recreation, tourist and commercial community. Like the fan that inspired its shape it is located "where all good things converge." The fan is an internationally recognized symbol of Chinese culture and tradition; its form carries many meanings and interpretations. It is a fitting symbol and metaphor for Tianjin and TEDA, where waterways, trade routes, airways, and railways converge. As a roof for the Convention Center, the fan and the 60,000 sq. m. Phase I building can be "complete" when it is built and is also designed to maintain its structural form and architectural integrity when it is expanded. The Center is planned as a skylit, 3-level building with a high lower level exhibition hall (24,000 sq. meters in Phase I) directly accessible walkway, road, and outdoor exhibition area. The upper level overlooks the exhibition hall and provides flexible conference space (6,000 sq.m) food services. Parking on grade for 850 cars is envisioned for Phase I and, when subsequent phases and other parts of the Center are complete, a multi-level parking facility will be added. Concept and Program This building is designed as a World Class, "State-of-the-Art" conference and exposition center that will serve the general public as well as trade shows, political conventions and other significant gatherings. Exhibit spaces for large functions are divisible for smaller large functions, exhibit spaces for smaller functions, ballrooms with their accompanying break-out areas, meeting rooms, conference spaces, restaurants, bar areas, business and support spaces in a cohesive and organized form. The concept also supports and embraces the commercial, recreational, and tourist functions that TEDA has planned for this part of its new city. The adjacent train station is an important point of transfer and a nucleus of activity. Not only will the station link the Convention Center to the rest of TEDA and Tianjin, but also is part of an overall plan with the sports stadium, restaurants, hotels, shops, outdoor exhibition spaces and the leisure entertainment complex beyond. Organizing and unifying the main parts of the Master Plan, the Convention Center will serve as an important work of architecture and central focus for the sports, commercial, recreational, and tourist functions and will help TEDA to become a vibrant part of the growth of modern China. Access and Parking Entry along the front at the water is possible as well as the two ends of the building. It provides a convenient access for pedestrian and tram users along the waterway, public access-ways and for vehicular traffic and parking behind. Additional short-term parking is provided behind the building for public and vendor use along East Ocean Road. The plan retains the original concept for the project and responds to Master Site Plan. A newly created internal spine with multiple entry points allow various points of access and ability to provide separate events and trade shows with their own identity and functions. If desired, each show can have its own entry and segregated registration. The circulation spine also permits conventioneers and tourists to stroll down the "boulevard" and review what's happening! Extensive use of glazing along the perimeter of the exhibition spaces permits good visibility from outside the Center, allowing visitors to sense the activity within. Information and Advertising At the main two end entrances there are large digital/video advertising screens viewable from TEDA's main vehicular travel paths and the new train station. These large-scale format screens will promote events that are on-going and those in the future to persons attending an event and those who are just passing by. Other opportunities for display and advertising are available on structural columns and spaces throughout the Convention Center. Structural Concept and Systems - Expansion The roof and building as a whole can be expanded, with minimal demolition and/or relocation of walls and partitions; maintaining the structural form and architectural integrity of the original phase. The structural system was selected for its visual interest, flexibility, long span capability, and relative economy, as compared to other long-span solutions. The Phase 1 building is located at the center of the site. Phase 2 would embrace an expansion toward the new rail station. Phase 3 will be built on the southern site where on-grade parking was provided for Phase 1. During these two moves, the end wall would be demounted, stored and reused in the new construction. This would be cost effective and maintain the design concept and opportunities. Entry lobbies occur in high ceiling spaces. Main registration areas are under two-story skylight spaces with pedestrian circulation and/or food-court activities above. The fan shaped roof and structural framework above column free spaces are visible from the second level and backlit clerestory windows above. Functional spaces are planned with operable partitions to facilitate room size modifications and increased flexibility. State-of-the-art audio-visual and telecommunications capability and simultaneous translation of multiple languages will be available in all portions of the Center. The two-level spine allows visitors to move freely within the Center and elevator and moving stairs permit quick and efficient floor-to-floor movement.

 

For more information contact: Lee Harris Pomeroy Associates / Architects 462 Broadway, Third Floor, New York, NY 10013 USA Tel 212 334-2600  Fax 212 334-0093  Email lhpa@lhparch.com