The building should be a mirror of the times. — Le Corbusier

The landmark that extends cultural veins while embracing the future is the highly concise symbol of a city. Xi'an Silk Road International Conference Center,the interior of which is designed by YANG, is the new landmark of Xi’an City and the permanent venue for China’s Belt and Road Summit. Other than the symbol of local spirit and culture, it has become the major engine of the city’s development .     

Adhering to the architectural design philosophy - “coexistence of a thousand-year-old city and modern design”- the interior design takes into account the functional requirements of convention and exhibition as well. Through a minimal modern design approach, YANG creates a simple, bright and artistic space that allows the staging of various activities.  

The project covers an area of 100 thousand square meters with a floor area of 207 thousand square meters. Facing such a huge space capacity, the designer had to prioritize the planning of reasonable spatial layout. 

According to the usage rate, the main functional space is zoned into the first-floor ballroom, the second-floor multifunctional hall, and the third-floor conference hall. Around each space, a U-shaped corridor is planned to make room for casual conventions and exhibitions.  

The light is there, and the building doesn't need to speak. — Ieoh Ming Pei

Since the layout puts emphasis on the “openness” of public areas, the main functional space of 4300 ㎡ that requires more privacy is located in the middle of each floor. In this way, the glass curtain wall, with less blocking by architecture, introduces day light to make the space feel warmer, finer, and closer to visitors.   

Space should have some kind of empirical connection with the earth, a metaphysical connection, a poetic connection.

Traditional elements of Xi’an, such as ancient architectural structure, the Terracotta Warriors, and the Dayan Tower, are extracted and reinterpreted to present the cultural inheritance of the ancient city.       

However, the representation of ancient glamour can be barely achieved by tedious element stacking. YANG strives to convey harmonious oriental aesthetics in the space by borrowing ancient architectural approaches like arrays and interspersing.  

Inspired by the armor of terracotta warriors, the ceiling of public and U-shaped corridors made up of aluminum plates uses varied shapes to enrich the space while concealing smoke exhausts and return air inlets.    

To avoid the clutter caused by complex wiring on the ceiling and create solemn meeting ambience, YANG designed the truss of the conference hall by taking cues from overhanging eaves and mortise-and-tenon joints of ancient buildings. The design facilitates the concealing of pipes as well as the installation of lighting and AV equipment.       

In the multifunctional hall, the magnificent array of aluminum panels with wood texture combines the style of antique Chinese architecture with a modern international structure, implying the development idea of “uniting” the world to achieve a “harmonious” future.   

At the entrance of the ballroom, guests are welcomed by antique copper gates that give a feel of stability and elegance. Fold-shaped gray fabric wall covering, echoing the outline of the Dayan Tower, is installed to enhance the solemnity and also sound-absorption effects in the space.       

A landmark symbolizes the city’s past and future. Xi'an Silk Road International Conference Center, a new cultural card of the ancient city dedicated by YANG, will serve as a bridge linking between modern Xi’an and the world.     

Project Name: Xi'an Silk Road International Conference Center
Project Location: Core Zone of Euro-Asia Economic Comprehensive Park, Chanba Ecological District, Xi’an City, China
Project Area: 207,000 square meters
Architectural Design: Architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (gmp)
Interior Design: YANG & Associates Group
Interior Design Team: Yang Bangsheng, Chen Anyun, Su Haijiang, Wang Chaobin, Xu Xiaobing, Shi Siyuan, Chen Bohua, Peng Changcui, Zhou Jinguang, Lu Zhuan, and Hong Qiuming
Photo Credit: InSpace