RUF Architects · CLIENT: RUF Architects
Tianjin Zarsion is an exhibition center built beside a tributary of the Yongding River in Tianjin, China. The plan uses a water drop shape set diagonally on the site, which lengthens the approach from the city edge to the entrance. Deep eaves and large glass surfaces create a light roof that appears to float. The structure is mainly wood, supplemented by steel, and 68 radial red pine beams form an umbrella-shaped arched frame. Eight interior wooden columns allow a wide column-free hall. A leaf-shaped skylight is sized to keep the interior light soft and quiet.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Architects initially tried to use symbolic architectural language to establish a connection with the historical environment.
As to layout, water drop shape is placed diagonally into the site, which not only elongates the moving line from the city interface to the entrance, but also makes the shape more intuitive. The profound eaves overhang and large area glass applications create a directionless floating roof, which presents a charming tranquility with the swaying shadows of the trees. - Dimensions & Packaging
- The interior 8 wooden columns and the 3 diagonal wooden columns at the front make the structure realize the 34.0mx14.5m indoor column-free space and the 3.7m outdoor cantilever.
The smoke-gray aluminum-magnesium plates, ultra-white tempered glass, small faceted spruce suspended ceiling and leaf-shaped exterior outline create an honest expression of microscopic stress. - Tags
- Innovative, New Experience, Polysemy, Community, Commercial, Dynamic, Architecture, Interaction
- Production Technology
- The project’s structure went through three rounds of schemes, and final scheme is dominated by wood structure and supplemented by steel structure.
The concept of three rings is adopted. The roof uses the skylight and the beam columns to realize force conversion. The cornice is made of steel structure and the rest is made of wood structure to achieve perfect radiating effect. - Design Challenge
- The project was completed in the form of wooden structure. The biggest challenge in the process of project implementation is the large span and overhang in the structure. After several rounds of structural tests, the final shape is umbrella-shaped spoke-type arched architecture scheme, which is formed by inner, middle and outer circular steel beams and 68 radial red pine beams.
- Project Duration
- The project started in July. 2019 in Tianjin Municipality, China and was completed in March 2020.
- Operation Flow
- The building does not have a clear main entrance. Three exposed diagonal wooden posts are used to define the entrance space at the front.
To enter the exhibition space from the front, visitors will enter a lower transitional space under the eaves, and then gradually move to the space under the leaf-shaped skylight, which is covered with light. We deliberately control the interference of excessive direct light through the size of the skylight, so as to ensure the soft and quiet space atmosphere inside. - Research
- At the initial design stage, the external place is not clearly defined, and the relationship between the building and the place presents a sense of spontaneous floating. Along with the design development forwarded, metaphorical polysemy emerges. Architects use the cavities of roof sheathing and inclined beams as well as the cavities of main ring beams to hide all pipelines involving water, electricity, air conditioning and so on.
- Inspiration
- The project locates next to a meandering tributary of the Yongding River. In this vast expanse of grass, the external place is not clearly defined.
The design started with the roof, architects initially tried to use symbolic architectural language to establish a connection with the historical environment. This is like a crystal clear water drop quietly dissolves into the endless winding river. However, with the gradual development of the narrative, metaphorical polysemy emerges. - Image Credits
- Photo Credits: Hu Yijie
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