NBBJ Unveils Futuristic Qingdao Water City Expo Center

Inspired by the surrounding landscape, LA-based <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/03/02/chinatrust-headquarters-by-nbbj-architects/" target="_blank">NBBJ</a> designed the new <a href="http://www.bustler.net/index.php/article/renderings_revealed_for_qingdaos_new_exhibition_center_by_nbbj/" target="_blank">Qingdao Water City Exposition Center</a> in the Shandong Province in China to resemble the dikes that are prevalent in the area to hold back the tidal waters. To be built with strong, angular lines of glass and steel, the expo center will act as a gateway to the Water City Development in Aoshan Bay. Along with paying respect to the watery landscape surrounding the center, NBBJ also included the use of natural ventilation, <a href="../daylighting" target="_blank">daylighting</a>, construction efficiency and renewable energy in the sweeping design of the expo center.

The exposition center will be completed in early 2011, and will be the stimulus for development within the entire Qingdao Water City.

Designed with an angular steel and glass facade, the expo center is inspired by the surrounding landscape and the convergence of fresh and salt water.

The expo center will host international and domestic tradeshows, a variety of performances and other large events, and will also serve as a gateway to the Water City Development.

The first phase will consist of a new 180,000 sq m (1,940,000 sq ft) exposition center.

This will include 10 flat-floor expo halls, one multi-purpose hall, two lobbies, retail space and a central outdoor expo plaza.

At the front entrance, guests will be met by a grand sweeping arc of glass shaded with large overhangs to protect from solar heat gain.

“As part of a global effort to rethink how we design our built environment, it is critical that a civic facility like the Aoshan Bay International Exhibition Center help lead the way to a more sustainable future,” says Robert Mankin, AIA, partner with NBBJ.

All of the expo halls are designed to be the same size and shape to simplify and expedite the construction process and minimize waste.

Natural ventilation is employed with the help of solar stack vents in the main hall to minimize mechanical cooling.

Daylighting through large glass windows reduces the need for lighting.

The design of the expo center includes a number of green strategies.

Solar panels on the large roof will provide power.

Finally, geothermal cooling through a district-wide central heat and power plant will use the ocean as a thermal sink.