Xi'An World Fair 2011 Project China : Architecture

28 Apr 2009 International Horticultural Fair Xi’an Plasma Studio has been commissioned to design the International Horticultural Fair in Xi’an, China. The project, titled Flowing Gardens, was generated as a synthesis of horticulture and technology where landscape and architecture converge at a sustainable and integral vision. The proposal comprises of a 5000 sqm exhibition hall, a 4000 sqm greenhouse and a 3500 sqm gate building sitting in a 37 Ha landscape. The fair will open in 2011, receiving approximately 200,000 visitors a day. The design team includes Arup (structural and civil engineering) and Groundlab (landscape design). Flowing Gardens creates a consonant functionality of water, planting, circulation, and architecture as one seamless system. At the major intersections of the pathways lie three buildings; the architecture is an intensification of the ground condition, where each building stands alone as an object yet speaks of the interconnectivity of the landscape. The conceptual masterplan is strikingly similar to an estuary. The circulation flow begins as a single stream, and then broadens, branching out to form the borders of garden spaces … the flowy circulation heavily influenced the buildings in the conceptual phase. It isn’t often that building forms bend to the will of the landscape design, but in this case it appears that the building forms actually mimic those of the landscape design as they extend out into the water. (Olivia Chen) The gate building is created at the junction of public meeting space, landscape, and circulation; one enters the site through the gate along the major axis of Flowing Gardens, creating framed views of the gardens. The exhibition centre is formed at the seam of landscape, circulation and water; one experiences the exhibition centre’s fluid lines as an extension of the landscape with vistas of the lake and the South Hill. The greenhouse sits at the top of the South Hill, at the connection of various landscape features. The greenhouse allows one to experience the beauty of Flowing Gardens from across the lake while appreciating plants and flowers from four different climatic zones. Credit: P L A S M A STUDIO - Architect: Eva Castro, Holger Kehne, Ulla Hell Design team: Jorge Ayala, Nicoletta Gerevini, Evan Greenberg, Hossein Kachabi, Nadia Kloster, Steve de Micoli, Filippo Nassetti Collaborator: ARUP Client: Chang'an Ecological District Location: Xi'an City, China Use: Landscape/ Cultural Site area: 37 Hectares Bldg. Area: 12, 000 sqm Design year: 2009 Completion year: 2011