Qingdao Innovative Technology Park: A Wave-Inspired Marvel

AICO's Visitor Center: A Harmonious Blend of Design and Technology

The Qingdao West Coast Innovative Technology Park is a part of the new town development centered around the Qingdao West High Speed Rail Station. It comprises 110,000 square meters of office space and a 5,000 square meter Visitor Center. The Center showcases the concepts of "green, health, smart" and includes a science center by Sinochem Group, an exhibition hall featuring the master plan of the new town development, conference rooms, dining facilities, and a coffee bar.

The design of the Visitor Center is unique and inspired by the city's coastal landscape. The roof and ground planes of the building overhang out of the glass curtain wall, extending the interior space out to the exterior city space. This design captures the dynamic energy akin to 'surfing' in the waves, creating a dialogue between the roof and the ground.

The Visitor Center employs several green building technologies, such as electronic intelligent control system, CdTe thin film solar photovoltaic integrated panels, high efficiency frequency conversion multi line system, fresh air heat recovery system, efficient water-saving appliances, ionic waterfall system, and negative ion spray integrated with outdoor railings. The building is currently in the process of getting certifications for HQE, Health Building 2-Star, and Construction 21.

The design process was a challenge, focusing on the combination of function and standard, emotion and experience, as well as becoming an environmentally-friendly system for the city. The architects and engineers had to figure out how to realize the wave shape and create a special space feeling with large spans of wood. The Visitor Center also needed to achieve environmental standards by using solar panels.

The Qingdao West Coast Innovative Technology Park is a living room of an engine for future innovations. It seeks to extend and translate the coastal landscape into architectural forms and spaces. The project was completed in 2020 and is located on West Dongyue Rd, Huangdao Dist., Qingdao, China.

This design has been recognized for its world-class, exceptional, and highly innovative design. It was awarded Platinum in A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2021. This award recognizes designs that showcase unmatched professionalism, genius, and contribute to societal wellbeing. It is awarded to the defining aesthetics of an era, advancing the boundaries of art, science, design, and technology, exhibiting transcendent excellence and making the world a better place.