China National LuBan Award - Construction Excellence

studio505 developed an intricate yet simple and effective façade design to enclose and identify the massive Suzhou Science and Cultural Arts Centre. The base building (designed by Paul Andreu) houses opera halls, cinemas, cultural centre facilities, galleries, gardens, and all manner of support infrastructure. The façade developed by studio 505 is a refined, strategic solution to the varied requirements of this massive building.
The continuously curved perimeter of the main building, which in plan is shaped like a parabolic half-moon crescent, is more than 1.5 kilometres long and consists of an inner weather proofing layer (glazed in some areas, opaque in others) and an outer ornamental metal screen, which provides shading but also gives the building its unique external appearance and identity.

Location

Status

Client

Architect

Facade Architect

Facade Engineering

Local Design Institute

Interior Design

Photography

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(Concept)
In forming a harmonious relationship with the building beneath, studio505 developed a facade that appeared as a continuous surface, an infinite loop with no beginning or end. A matrix of three hexagons were superimposed at 60 degrees relative to each other. The panel installation joints are positioned along the hexagons which are orientated horizontally, however no other visual emphasis is placed on the actual panel breakdown.
A second pattern was developed that overlays the hexagonal matrix. Modelled from an image of free-flowing brush strokes, this second pattern provides an organic counterbalance to the ordered nature of the hexagonal matrix it sits above. These two components, opposite in their form, unite to complete the building’s iconic facade. In reference to the name of the actual building complex, science and arts form a continuous dialogue in the pattern of its external skin.
(Fabrication)
Each of the approximately 10sqm large individual composite facade panels consist of two inner and two outer waterjet cut aluminium tiles with the integral structural framing sandwiched between the two layers. This hides all necessary framing from view and creates a screen that not only looks dynamic from the outside but is equally stunning when seen from the vast public foyer areas inside. The dual skin and patterns are made from 16 unique tiles assembled in 42 selected permutations throughout the 24,000sqm of external facade.
(Lighting)
A low resolution and fully programmable LED lighting system was installed and concealed by the framing structure of the hexagonal facade tiles. This lighting system turned all 1.5km of the facade into a brilliant and dazzling canvas, its very nature a state of flux and evolution.

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The Australian Pavilion, 2005 World Expo

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The Lotus Building

Suzhou SCAC