Sipopo Congress Center’s Lace Envelope Shields it from the Hot Equatorial Guinea Sun

The beautiful Sipopo Congress Center serves as a negotiation hall for leaders of diverse African cultures in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malabo" target="_blank">Malabo</a>, the capital city of Equatorial Guinea. Located on the western coast of Africa near the Guinea Gulf, the transparent rectangular volume is enveloped in a lace-like, sun-shading mesh. The mesh is the color of the local trees and is able to filter the sun to protect the naturally daylit interior from overheating, but it also remains transparent enough to provide stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding forest. Sipopo Congress Center was designed by Istanbul-based firm <a href="http://www.tabanlioglu.com/cultural.html" target="_blank">Tabanlıoğlu Architects</a>, and was shortlisted for an award in the civic and community category for the <a href="http://www.worldarchitecturefestival.com/" target="-blank">2011 World Architecture Festival</a>.

The two story building sits on the edge of the sea and the forest and its design was directly inspired by the native trees and the color of the ocean.

A brilliant blue glass facade is tempered with a lace-like <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/shade-screen">shade screen</a>, which is the colored to match the trunks of the trees.

The colored bronze mesh panels are placed according to the building's orientation in order to minimize solar heat gain by filtering the sun's rays.

In this way the building's cooling needs are reduced and energy efficiency is ensured.

The building reflects its surrounding environment.

The volume is accessed via a transparent pedestrian bridge from the old building into the new center.

Visitors and employees first enter a double height atrium and lobby which is dappled with sunlight and occupies one whole side of the building.

Offices, meeting rooms, a VIP lounge and restaurant flank the sides around a large circular conference hall that is bounded by an opaque wall covered with materials to address acoustic issues.

Timber, natural stone and glass locally sourced were specifically chosen to reduce ambient sounds in order to improve the acoustics in the hall.

Interior decor is inspired by local motifs, regional landscape forms, vegetation and the area's heritage.

Ground floor plan.

First floor plan.

Cross section.