Tianjin Zarsion: A Harmonious Blend of History and Innovation

RUF Architects' Award-Winning Design Marries Traditional Symbolism with Modern Structural Ingenuity

Derived from the historical environment, the design of the Tianjin Zarsion Exhibition Center started with the roof. The architects initially used symbolic architectural language to establish a connection with the historical environment, akin to a crystal clear water drop quietly dissolving into the endless winding river. This metaphorical polysemy emerged with the gradual development of the narrative.

The water drop shape of the building is placed diagonally into the site, elongating the moving line from the city interface to the entrance and making the shape more intuitive. The profound eaves overhang and large area glass applications create a directionless floating roof, presenting a charming tranquility with the swaying shadows of the trees.

The project’s structure went through three rounds of schemes, with the final scheme dominated by wood structure and supplemented by steel structure. The concept of three rings was adopted, using the skylight and the beam columns to realize force conversion. The cornice is made of steel structure and the rest is made of wood structure to achieve the perfect radiating effect.

The interior 8 wooden columns and the 3 diagonal wooden columns at the front make the structure realize the 34.0mx14.5m indoor column-free space and the 3.7m outdoor cantilever. The smoke-gray aluminum-magnesium plates, ultra-white tempered glass, small faceted spruce suspended ceiling, and leaf-shaped exterior outline create an honest expression of microscopic stress.

The building does not have a clear main entrance. Three exposed diagonal wooden posts are used to define the entrance space at the front. To enter the exhibition space from the front, visitors will enter a lower transitional space under the eaves, and then gradually move to the space under the leaf-shaped skylight, which is covered with light. The interference of excessive direct light is deliberately controlled through the size of the skylight, ensuring the soft and quiet space atmosphere inside.

The project, which started in July 2019 in Tianjin Municipality, China, and was completed in March 2020, overcame several creative, technical, and research challenges. The biggest challenge was the large span and overhang in the structure. After several rounds of structural tests, the final shape is an umbrella-shaped spoke-type arched architecture scheme, formed by inner, middle, and outer circular steel beams and 68 radial red pine beams.

The Tianjin Zarsion Exhibition Center is a testament to the innovative and dynamic architecture that RUF Architects is known for. It is a design that not only respects the historical environment but also pushes the boundaries of modern architecture. The center stands as a symbol of the harmonious blend of history and innovation, a beacon of the future of architecture.