The goal of Zhengzhou Airport Biomedical Park is to create a visual impact. As a component of the Zhengzhou Linkong Biopharmaceutical Park, WSP ARCHITECTS developed an exposition center in the Chinese province of Henan’s capital. An international conference center and an incubation center are part of the development area.
Design Philosophy
The Exhibition Center, a small-scale public exhibition facility, is intended for industry promotion and image projection through architectural form and service space. The design blends the encircled exterior sunshade louvers with the ramps circling the inner atrium, making the internal and external double helix DNA shape, which reflects the motif of DNA biology.
The life axis of the park unites the north and south halves via a curving passageway that is open for exploration. The circular exposition center, whose architecture is incorporated into the main landscape, is situated in the middle of the axis. It is a landmark structure that was built before the park because of its well-planned layers and sense of quality.
The exhibition center, along with the international conference center and incubator center in the south, creates the park’s central square and stands in stark contrast to the square modulation pilot products in the north; the circular symbolism of freedom contrasts with the square symbolism of precision. The exhibition center is given a calm power by the spiral and irregular curve modeling, which is seen in the display center’s gentle stretching and retracting. It is also an architectural language that was adapted to honor DNA, the primary source code for the contemporary biopharmaceutical sector.
Structure
The center’s core space employs a double helix construction, resulting in a vertical space that is integrated with the central landscape. Its façade is composed of metal louvers that float from the surface waterscape to the roof platform. its interior is organically connected in series via spiral ramps that form life trails and generate coherent and easy internal flow lines among levels. Three ellipses with distinct functions spin in opposite directions, resulting in a variety of intriguing spaces.
Vistas
The building’s first level is an exhibition room with floor-to-ceiling glass curtain walls that better link the interior and outside vistas. The second level is a flexible office space that caters to the demands of various groups of employees; it is visually connected to the center room via glass dividers. The dining area on the third level is the tallest point in the structure, and the outside observation platform offers a panoramic view of the whole park.
Material
Against the backdrop of the vast glass curtain walls, the shutter profiles constructed of metal aluminum panels give the exhibition center a deeper sense of technology. Each louver piece is shuttle-shaped, and a perforated aluminum plate is utilized to make the overall structure lighter, and sunlight angles provide diverse light and shadow effects. Each shuttle louver is turned 30 degrees in the direction of the spirals, neatly hiding the bulb troughs at the ends, and the curving lighted face gives the light a rhythmic beauty that improves the overall flow of the structure.
Lighting
The swirling DNA shape of the viewing channel purifies the space. The daylighting skylight’s electric louvers filter the light into the room, providing soft natural light for the exhibition space; it appears to have traveled to the future high-tech space; with the spiral of the visiting passage, a bird’s-eye view of the sand table is gradually formed, and the perspective overlooking everything can bring visitors a sense of mastery of the space.
After cooling down in the shallow water pool at the entry, hot air enters the atrium, pushes up, and exits via the electric skylight, establishing a full ecological and organic natural cooling system. Simultaneously, sunlight and fresh air are introduced into the area to create a natural and transparent interior atmosphere, and the clean and organic space idea pervades every part of the structure.
Smooth curves and rounded edges are adorned with warm and pleasant wood and plants, satisfying the idea of technology and the space’s future while also providing an ecological and organic place with warmth and humanistic care.
The center’s goal is to restore design concepts to the origins of biopharmaceuticals and architecture to human charisma, resulting in upward life dynamics. The infinitely changeable curves conceal the building’s ceiling, which appears to extend all the way to the skies. This unique design also illustrates the designer’s initial aim, which is constantly manifested in magnificent architectural achievements.
References
Pure Organic Source of Life｜Explore the interior space of Zhengzhou Linkong Biomedical Park Exhibition Center (no date) micro channel platform. [online]Available at: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/XWcgZ6lB-OAcqUS_JERviA (Accessed: March 3, 2023).
Winners 2019: Interior Design category (no date) Novum Design Award. [online]Available at: https://www.novumdesignaward.com/winners-2019-interior-design (Accessed: March 3, 2023).
Winners 2019: Interior Design category (no date) Novum Design Award. [online]Available at: https://www.novumdesignaward.com/winners-2019-interior-design (Accessed: March 3, 2023).
Person (2018) China. A double-helix exhibition centre, DOMUS. Domusweb. [online]Available at: https://www.domusweb.it/en/architecture/2018/06/27/china-a-double-helix-exhibition-centre.html (Accessed: March 3, 2023).
