Reviving Agricultural Heritage: Haimen Agricultural Exhibition Hall

gad's Innovative Design Blends Tradition with Modernity

The design of the Haimen Agricultural Exhibition Hall draws inspiration from the barns of Chinese agricultural civilization. The structure, reminiscent of a square box with a circular silo at its core, embodies the concept of "square barn and round granary". This concept not only reflects the legalist thought that when granaries are full, people follow appropriate rules of conduct, but also aligns with the construction of spiritual civilization in the new era.

What sets the Haimen Agricultural Exhibition Hall apart is its unique design features. The building maximizes the footprint of the barn and introduces a central space that allows for natural lighting and ventilation. The circular silo serves as a seed museum, providing a space for display and communication. A rotating open staircase connects the various functions of the building vertically, stimulating visitors' curiosity and desire for exploration.

The outer skin of the building is made of UHPC material, a low porosity material that highlights the shape and lines of the building. From afar, the building appears sharp and defined, while up close, it presents a soft and hazy appearance. This visual contrast, combined with the glass curtain wall, beautifully illustrates the relationship between enclosure and connection, closure and permeability.

The exhibition hall covers a construction area of 4000 square meters and is divided into four floors. The design breaks the conventional concept of "layer" in structure, with four concrete square boxes circling around the atrium. The roof's folded plate forms a large area of windows on the top floor, realizing the purity of architectural form and space. Here, traditional regional context and modern lifestyle meet.

The Haimen Agricultural Exhibition Hall is not just a building; it's an experience. The mortise and tenon structure of the silo, combined with the color and touch of old wood, makes the barn warm and amiable. Visitors can enjoy the pastoral scenery, surrounding buildings, and internal activities of the agricultural exhibition hall. They can also directly enter the town demonstration area and agricultural exhibition area from the west exit of the exhibition hall.

This architectural marvel, which started in October 2020 in Nantong, China, and finished in April 2021, is a testament to the design team's ability to overcome creative, technical, and research challenges. The team managed to build a poetic residence among the pastoral roads, recovering the wisdom gene in the heritage of Chinese Wu and Yue culture, and completing critical regionalism practice.

The Haimen Agricultural Exhibition Hall, awarded Silver in A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2022, is indeed a remarkable design that showcases outstanding expertise and innovation. It is a perfect blend of tradition and modernity, a poetic dwelling that pays tribute to China's rich agricultural heritage.