Dalian International Conference Center

Dalian International Conference Centre Vienna-based architectural studio Coop Himmelb(l)au has created a distinctive landmark for Dalian, China's developing port city. Opened in 2012 and featuring a shell-shaped roof, the centre spans 100,000 m² and hosts conference and event halls for up to 7,000 visitors, functioning as a versatile "city within a city". Here we present this remarkable structure through the architectural studio's own account. The building was to reflect both Dalian's promising modern future and its tradition as a significant port, industrial, commercial and tourism centre in Liaoning, China's northeastern province. The formal language of the project merges the rational structure and organization of conference centre typology with the floating spaces of modernist architecture. The programme, developed along two main urban axes, defines the building's form, while the interior literally pushes outward and deforms the building's metallic shell. Perforated aluminium slats on the outer shell admit daylight and give the building its striking sculptural appearance. Slats that open in certain common areas frame select views of the city and Dalian Bay, creating "new synergies between the climate-responsive exterior surface and the surrounding landscape". The interior pushes the outer shell outward. The urban design task of Dalian International Conference Centre was to create an instantly recognizable landmark and symbol at the terminus of an extension of the main city axis. As a focal point, the building anchored itself in the mental landscape of both local residents and the international community. Its layout is organized according to the orientation of the two main urban axes that converge in front of the building. Cantilevered conference areas rising from the façade create a multi-directional volume that distinguishes itself from its immediate surroundings. Various theatres and conference halls are covered by a cone-shaped roof membrane. An automatically controlled daylight system maintains atmospheric variety within the building, assisting visitors in spatial orientation. Dalian International Conference Centre merges functions into a single hybrid building through the synergistic effects of functionality and spatial richness: a conference centre, theatre and opera house, exhibition centre, underground car park, and delivery and disposal areas. Natural lighting in circulation areas and most conference halls contributes to creating atmosphere. Controlled ventilation permits atmospheric variety within the building, thereby assisting visitor orientation. The theatre's internal organization, the conference halls and circulation spaces can be compared to an urban street, plaza and legible network, described as "addresses for better orientation". This arrangement also provides spaces for informal meetings, rest and conversation before conferences. On the ground level, accessibility is differentiated according to user type. The actual performance and conference spaces are located at +15.30 m above the entrance hall. A large theatre with a fly tower and 1,600 seat capacity and an immediately adjacent flexible conference hall with 2,500 seats occupy the building's centre. This arrangement allows the main stage to serve both as a classical theatre auditorium and as a flexible multipurpose hall. The main auditorium is also equipped with backstage areas as in traditional theatres and opera houses. This configuration broadens the range of options for the space's use, allowing it to host congresses, musicals and theatre productions through to classical operas with minimal additional investment. Smaller conference spaces are arranged like pearls around this core, providing very short connections between different areas. The main entrance is located on the waterfront, highlighting the city's developing district, including the neighbouring passenger terminal. It was predetermined from the outset that the World Economic Forum would be the main user of Dalian International Conference Centre. The Swiss foundation, known for its annual meetings in Davos, also organizes the Summer Davos held each year in China. One of sustainable architecture's principal tasks is to minimize energy consumption. Therefore, the integration of natural environmental resources is essential. The planners leveraged Dalian's coastal location and strong winds. More specifically, this means: • Relative thermal energy from seawater and natural ventilation of the building's enormous air volumes is used for summer cooling and winter heating. • Low-temperature heating systems are used, while the core's concrete thermal mass maintains constant building temperature. • The atrium beneath the roof is designed as a sub-climate zone heated by solar energy and naturally ventilated. • High levels of natural daylight reduce energy consumption for artificial lighting and have a positive psychological effect. • Solar panels integrated into the building's form provide additional energy.

Structural Concept

"The building consists of two elements: table and roof. The opera, conference halls and access areas rest on a tablet-shaped steel structure with a three-dimensionally deformed facade-roof construction. (Kurt Prix) As a whole, the structure essentially consists of two elements: table and roof. The opera and congress halls as well as access areas rest on a table-shaped steel structure, partly designed as a composite structure. This is covered by a three-dimensionally deformed system serving as the shell for the roof and façade. Both elements are designed as steel frame structures with frame heights ranging from five to eight metres. The entire structure "floats seven metres above the ground" and is reinforced and supported by 14 vertical cores made of composite steel and concrete. The application of new design and simulation techniques, the knowledge of local shipbuilders for bending large steel plates, and the consumption of over 40,000 tonnes of steel made possible breathtaking spans exceeding 85 metres and cantilevers surpassing 40 metres.

Sources

• https://coop-himmelblau.at/projects/dalian-international-conference-center/ • https://www.world-architects.com/en/coop-himmelb-l-au-vienna/project/dalian-international-conference-center • https://www.archdaily.com/405787/dalian-international-conference-center-coop himmelb-l-au Compiled and translated by: B. Serhat Cengiz