Bird-Inspired Cultural Center Blossoms in China

Zaha Hadid Architects has finished the Zhuhai Jinwan Civic Art Centre, characterized by a visually striking design inspired by the unique chevron patterns of migrating birds. However, the structure is crowned with four steel roof canopies designed to offer shade in the subtropical climate of southern China.

The Zhuhai Jinwan Civic Art Centre is positioned on a podium near the center of a lake. In terms of structure, it is intricate, comprising five distinct buildings distributed across four wings and organized around a central plaza. The entire complex is shaded by the roof canopies, contributing to the cohesive design of the development.

Harmonizing Diverse Cultural Spaces

“Integrating three separate cultural institutions within the city—a Performing Arts Centre with a 1,200-seat Grand Theater and a 500-retractable-seat multifunctional Black Box theater; an interactive Science Center; and an Art Museum—each facility in the Zhuhai Jinwan Civic Arts Centre incorporates distinctive features, offering diverse visitor experiences. However, all are linked by a cohesive formal and structural logic that spans 170 meters [557 ft] wide from east to west and 270 meters [885 ft] long from north to south,” stated the firm.

“The unique roof structure brings together the various venues through a network of reticulated shells that envelop the four wings of the center. Interconnecting bridges and voids establish a multi-layered public plaza at the center, providing views to the interiors and the surrounding promenades featuring cafés, restaurants, and educational facilities. In fact, the design prioritizes intuitive navigation with natural light in all public areas to enhance connectivity, creating vibrant civic spaces for local residents to enjoy throughout the day and evening.”

In fact, the latticed roof canopies of the Zhuhai Jinwan Civic Art Centre are designed to respond to the local climate, incorporating perforated aluminum panels for shading. The varying sizes of holes in the panels are strategically employed to control the amount of sunlight entering, based on specific requirements, orientation, and solar gain.

Sustainable Innovations

Furthermore, the project incorporates systems for monitoring energy consumption and indoor air quality, automatically adjusting interior conditions to optimize comfort and reduce energy usage. However, waste heat recovery is utilized to fulfill hot water needs, and water-saving fixtures are connected to the center’s water recycling system, which is integrated into the adjacent lake. Additionally, a portion of the building was constructed using recycled materials.

To conclude, the Zhuhai Jinwan Civic Art Centre is a component of a growing urban development in the city, which includes housing for 100,000 residents and encompasses civic, cultural, academic, and commercial infrastructure.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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