Changsha International Conference Center | Architectural Design and Research Institution of SCUT

01 Project overview

Changsha International Conference Center is situated in the High-speed Railway New Town of Changsha City, overlooking Changshanan Railway Station across a river, and adjacent to Changsha International Convention and Exhibition Center to its south. The project covers a land area of about 212,700 square meters and a gross floor area of around 170,000 square meters, of which the above-ground space occupies 136,000 square meters, while the underground section spans 44,000 square meters. The building measures approximately 300 meters from north to south, 150 meters from east to west, and has a height of 46.8 meters. It consists of three floors above ground and one underground floor.

The conference center has 60 conference halls and rooms capable of accommodating up to 10,500 people. It includes a main venue that features a column-free space spanning about 7,800 square meters, a roundtable conference hall covering about 1,800 square meters, a banquet hall encompassing about 3,400 square meters, and a roof garden spanning 6,000 square meters. It stands as the largest conference center in central China.

02 Design concept

Form

Chinese academy, embody the refined and profound Chinese culture

The formal design draws on traditional Chinese aesthetics and cultural symbols in an abstract manner. It strategically integrates natural, architectural and cultural elements, such as the contours of mountains, traditional sloped roofs, and the pattern of unfolded Chinese folding fans, to comprehensively interpret the connotation of Chinese culture, which highlights the harmonious coexistence of human social civilization and the natural environment, as well as the unity of nature and man. The design aims to inherit and develop the core values of Chinese traditional culture and reshape the nation's cultural confidence.

Chinese culture and art emphasize three essential elements: form, soul, and qi (energy), with "qi" being the most significant. The axial sequences found in ancient Chinese buildings encapsulate a sense of ritual, representing the spiritual essence of Chinese culture while exuding grandeur. Accordingly, a spatial sequence of "front square - waterscape – welcoming entrance - ceremonial square" is arranged at the west main entrance square. With an appropriate scale, these four nodes conjure a solemn and majestic atmosphere for visitors, imbuing the space with a well-defined sense of order, showcasing the majestic style of a great nation.

Imagery

Xiao River and Xiang River, recreate bamboo slips and rivers of Hunan

The building's facade is inspired by the techniques of Chinese landscape ink paintings and the dynamic scenery described in the local guqin masterpiece on the Xiao River and the Xiang River. It takes on the shape of bamboo slips by incorporating metal folded plates with vertical lines. The parametric design integrates 7,500 perforated metal panels of different lengths, widths, and densities into a 900-meter-long landscape painting-like facade skin. This design emerges against the backdrop of the winding Liuyang River, which highlights the distinctive city identity of Changsha, renowned for its rivers. The angular perforated metal panels with vertical lines function as sunshade components, not only enhancing the rigidity of the metal plates while keeping the facade clean and durable. This avoids the accumulation of dust and dirt often seen in buildings with horizontal stripes, while also enabling adaptation to the rainy weather in Changsha. On cloudy days, the folding surface creates a captivating interplay of light and shades, rendering an effect that evokes ink-wash paintings.

Yuelu Academy stands as a pivotal symbol of Chinese and Hunan cultures. The conference center's roof garden pays homage to the Yuelu Academy, encapsulating its essence through the design of a square courtyard surrounded by corridors. The core of the courtyard features a rest pavilion that takes inspiration from "He Xi Tai" - a pavilion in front of Yuelu Academy. These design elements, along with the undulating gabled walls, create a unique Cloud Academy that carries on the spirit of Yuelu Academy and its legacy of nurturing talents.

Functionality

The largest in central China, build an international multi-functional "urban living room"

Changsha International Conference Center is designed with a distinctive layout that sets it apart from other conference venues. Its layout design is based on the principle of "convention-driven exhibition, flexible division and combination" to accommodate business meetings and government summits. The layout include flexible spaces to adapt to the diverse needs of different conferences, enhancing its utilization rate and economic viability. Since its operation, the conference center has hosted numerous international events, significantly augmenting Changsha's global connectivity and influence.

A large open-air parking lot is set outside the conference center. Based on Sponge City requirements, green design approach is applied to the parking lot. During conferences, it can meet the needs of outdoor parking and exhibition installations. On weekdays, it is open to the public as a park, blending into the daily lives of Changsha citizens and activating the neighborhoods in High-speed Railway New Town.

Strategies

Low-carbon and energy-saving, shape the city as a pioneer in green construction that adapts to the local climate

The project primarily employs passive energy-saving techniques and a comprehensive green building strategy that integrates both active and passive energy-saving measures. It has developed a range of measures that work at three different levels: reducing emissions, increasing sink capacity, and alternative approaches. The ultimate goal is to achieve a zero-carbon building design, significantly cut down operational costs, and fulfill the criteria of 2-star green building standards.

Master Planning

The project has embraced an intensive layout to conserve land and maximize outdoor activity venues. With a 40% green space ratio and the vertical greening of the roof garden, the site can fully absorb the carbon emissions from activities and effectively mitigate the urban heat island effect. Planting a large area of tall trees has improved shaded areas for activity venues and increased the site's carbon sink capacity.

Building layout design

The building's plan utilizes a "layered zoning" strategy to minimize energy consumption during operations. The conference center can be divided into several areas, enabling independent use based on specific requirements. Each area has its own air conditioning and lighting systems that can be controlled independently, preventing resources wastage caused by large interconnected spaces.

Electromechanical system

The project boasts a roof greening rate exceeding 75%, and rainwater is collected and recycled for outdoor use. In addition, solar photovoltaic panels are installed on the roof, while air conditioning and fresh air units are equipped with G4 primary air filters and electrostatic precipitators with ionic fans for air purification. A water-saving micro-sprinkling irrigation system has also been put in place. Moreover, CO2 concentration detection systems have been installed in key indoor and underground spaces.

Facade design

With an east-to-west orientation, the breathable double-layer skin facade is designed with high-performance sunshades crafted from a combination of perforated metal panels and glass curtain walls. The external sunshade coverage ratio reaches as high as 70%. The glass is ultra-clear insulating glass, incorporating an ionic membrane for explosion-proofing, energy-saving, and safety purposes. It has excellent light transmittance, energy efficiency and sound insulation capabilities. Additionally, the glass is integrated with self-cleaning nano-coating technology.

Overall benefits

The project stands as a pivotal construction endeavor in Hunan Province, garnering widespread attention across all walks of life and wielding significant social influence. On October 30, 2020, the Changsha International Conference Center was officially inaugurated. Notably, it meets international two-star green building standards, and erects as the largest conference center in Central China. It will assume a significant role as the permanent main venue for the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, offering a new platform for Hunan to build the Pilot Zone of In-depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation. Moreover, it will contribute to Changsha's vision of establishing a conference and exhibition hub in central China, and strengthen the pivotal leading role of the High-speed Railway Area where it’s located.

Since being put into use, the Changsha International Conference Center has operated efficiently, hosting a myriad of international-level events such as the First BFA Global Economic Development and Security Forum, the Second China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, and the World Computer Conference, among others. As a large-scale modern public architecture, it stands as a prominent landmark in Changsha City and Hunan Province alike. It serves as a new emblem of the city, significantly enhancing its identity and attractiveness. Moreover, it also contributes to catalyzing commodity circulation, technical exchanges, information communication, and economic and trade cooperation, playing a crucial role in boosting city development and the local economy.

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01项目概况

长沙国际会议中心位于长沙高铁新区，与长沙火车南站隔河相望，南面为长沙会展中心。会议中心规划总用地面积约为21.27万平方米，总建筑面积为约17万平方米，其中地上建筑面积13.6万平方米，地下建筑面积4.4万平方米。建筑南北长度约300米，东西宽度约150米，建筑高度为46.8米，建筑地上共三层，地下一层。

会议中心共60个会议厅室，可满足10500人会议要求。主要包括一个约7800平方米无柱空间主会场、约1800平方米圆桌会议厅、约3400平方米的宴会厅，还有约6000平方米屋顶花园等，为目前我国中部地区面积最大的会议中心。

02设计理念

形

翰墨中华，展现中国文化精美深厚的大国气派

方案抽象提取中国传统美学的文化符号，将代表自然属性的名川大山轮廓、代表社会属性的传统坡屋顶建筑形制、以及代表人文属性的中式折扇展开图象等元素重构于一个整体，形神兼备地诠释人类社会文明与自然环境和谐共生、天人合一的中国文化内涵，继承和发扬中国传统文化的核心价值，重塑全民族的文化

自信。

中国文化艺术讲求“形、神、气”，核心在于一个“气”字，而中国古代建筑的轴线序列充分体现了以“礼”为中国文化的精神核心，用序列彰显气度。会议中心西侧主入口广场构建一条“前广场一一镜水映月一一迎宾大道一一礼仪广场”的空间序列，开合有序、虚实相生，一种形态围合一进空间，一进空间营造一重氛围，庄重宏伟、层次分明的秩序感展现了气势磅礴的大国风范。

意

水云潇湘，牍览三湘四水灵动柔美的湖湘文化

引用中国山水画“远近结合”“虚实相生”的表现手法，并借鉴长沙古琴曲《潇湘水云》中山水的灵动与飘逸意境，立面设计以“简牍”为原型，采用竖线条的金属折板立面处理，通过参数化设计将7500块长短不一、宽窄不同、疏密变化的金属穿孔板拼接成一幅900米长的山水画卷，在蜿蜒的浏阳河映衬下构筑“水云潇湘、山水洲城”的长沙城市名片。立面采用竖线条的折角金属穿孔板作为遮阳构件，一来可增强金属板刚度，二来能保持立面干净耐久，避免横线条建筑常出现的挂灰易脏等现象，三来适应长沙阴雨天气较多的特征，通过折面更容易在阴天形成明暗对比，有利于表达水墨画的肌理效果。

岳麓书院是中国文化的重要载体，也是湖湘文化的集中象征，会议中心屋顶花园借鉴岳麓书院，通过四周千步廊围合方形院落，院落中心点缀一个以“赫曦台”为原型的休息亭，结合高低起伏的山形墙面打造仰望星空、别有洞天的云中书院，传承“惟楚有材，于斯为盛”的岳麓精神。

函

冠绝华中，构建功能复合面向世界的城市客厅

长沙国际会议中心的平面设计有别于其他会议场馆的会堂式布局，采用“以会带展、可分可合”的平面布置，以商务会议接待为基础，兼顾政务峰会接待的可能性，为会议中心预留更多的弹性空间，适应不同会议的需求，有利于提升会议中心的使用率和经济效益。会议中心运营以来已经举办多场国际盛会，助力长沙迎向世界。

会议中心室外有大面积露天停车场，结合海绵城市需求设计成绿色停车场，会议期间满足室外停车与布展需求，平日作为市民公园向社会开放，与长沙市民生活相融合，激活高铁新城社区活力。

术

低碳节能，塑造山水星城因地适候的绿建先锋

方案采用被动式节能措施为主，主、被动式节能措施相结合的绿建策略，在减排、增汇和替代三个层面分别制定一系列措施，力求实现零碳建筑设计，有效降低运营成本，满足绿色建筑二星标准。

总平面规划

项目采用集约化布局节约用地，尽可能留有更多室外活动场地，40%的绿地率加上屋顶花园立体绿化，可充分吸纳场地活动碳排放，有效降低城市热岛强度效应。高大乔木依托绿地大面积种植可提高活动场地遮阴率，提升项目的林草固碳能力。

平面设计

平面采用“分层分区”的设计手法有效降低运营能耗。会议中心可根据使用需要切分成多个会场区域独立使用，各区空调、照明系统独立开闭，避免大空间连通所造成的空调及电气资源浪费。

机电系统

项目屋面绿化率达75%以上，收集雨水回收用于室外。屋顶设置太阳能光伏板，空调机组、新风机组配置G4级别初效过滤器及离子静电除尘空气净化装置，设置微喷灌节水灌溉系统，室内地上地下重要空间均设置CO₂浓度监测系统。

立面设计

会议中心主立面为东西向，立面采用金属穿孔遮阳板与玻璃幕墙构成双层呼吸表皮的高性能遮阳设计，外遮阳覆盖率达70%以上。玻璃面板采用超白钢化离子膜防爆节能安全夹层玻璃，透光性好、节能隔声，并采用纳米自洁技术。

03综合效益 

本工程为湖南省重点建设项目，受到社会各界的广泛关注，具有很高的社会影响力。2020 年10月30日，长沙国际会议中心正式交付使用。项目达到国际绿建二星级要求，长沙国际会议中心建成后为中国中部地区最大的会议中心，这里作为中非经贸博览会的永久主会场，成为落实湖南自贸“打造中非经贸深度合作先行区”的新舞台。未来积极响应长沙“打造中部会议会展高地建设国家会议会展名城”的总体目标，充分发挥高铁会展新城片区主导和引领的作用。

长沙国际会议中心自投入使用以来，建筑运行状况良好，已助力“首届博鳌亚洲论坛全球经济发展与安全论坛”、“第二届中国-非洲经贸博览会”、“世界计算机大会”等多项国际级高端论坛的开展。本项目作为一个大型公共建筑，具有现代化的建筑外形，在建成之后已成为长沙市乃至湖南省的又一个地标性建筑，成为长沙一张新名片，大大提升长沙市的城市形象和城市吸引力。项目的建设也有利于促进商品流通、技术交流信息沟通及经贸合作，对城市发展和地方经济具有重大的推动作用。

Principal architects: He Jingtang, Qiu Jianfa, Wu Yongzhen

Architectural design team: Li Qixia, Chen Zhidong, Pei Zejun, Xie Junlin, Luo Menghao, Mai Heng, Chen Haonan, Chen Zhibiao, Lin Lin, He Jian, Zou Hongsheng, Liang Zhiliang, Huang Zhishan, Luo Changyong, Wu Daijie, Deng Xinxi, Liu Xiao, Wang Renyu, Su Hao, Zeng Xiance, Cao Yunye, Yang Liu, Jiang Yi, Liu Guangshuang, Yang Wan, Yi Weiwen, Cen Hongjin, Guan Baoling, Yu Yang, Guo Shijia, Huang Pujie, He Yaobing, He Shigang, Hu Wenbin, Wu Chenchen, Geng Wangyang, Fan Ximei, Huang Guangwei, Zhou Huazhong

Photography: Yao Li, Jin Tanglang