Set atop an existing two-story subterranean municipal facility beneath the lake, the Lotus building was completed in 2013 and houses parts of the city’s planning bureau, exhibition halls, and meeting rooms. Wrapped in a series of metal ribbed petals, the interior and exterior are covered in hand laid mosaic tiles that create a smooth gradient of color from white and beige to deep pink, accentuated by colored lighting. A 23 foot long suspended chandelier hangs at the center of the building like the stigma of a flower.
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Designed for energy efficiency, the building is cooled using 2500 geothermal piles installed through the base of the artificial lake. According to the architects, the center uses evaporative cooling from the lake surface to operate a thermal chimney for natural ventilation. At night, a light show transforms the Lotus Building into a major art attraction, one that has helped secure the building’s spot as one of the most popular landmarks in Wujin.
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Via ArchDaily
Images © John Gollings via studio505
