Seal: A Building Witnessing the Transformation of Wuhan

Preserving History and Embracing the Future

Wuhan, with its rich history and long-standing cultural heritage, provided the perfect backdrop for the Seal building. The architect, Peng Xiao, drew inspiration from the traditional Chinese seal, a symbol of authority and record-keeping. By incorporating elements of the seal into the building's appearance, Seal becomes a testament to the city's leaps and bounds in development.

One of the standout features of the Seal building is the formation of a large "W" when all four elevations are displayed together. This "W" represents the first letter of City Wuhan, where the building is situated. It serves as a visual reminder of the building's connection to the city and its people.

Another fascinating aspect of Seal is the presentation of specific timelines of significant historic events on the building facade. This unique feature not only records the history of Wuhan's development but also ushers in a new chapter for the future. It serves as a reminder of the city's progress and the importance of preserving its heritage.

Seal's design prioritizes the user experience, creating an open, comfortable, and sharing space for communication. It goes beyond the traditional concept of an archive building and transforms it into a hub for interaction and collaboration. The clear division of space based on function ensures that public users and professional users have separate areas, optimizing the flow of people and activities.

Furthermore, Seal incorporates sustainable and low-carbon design principles. The building utilizes proactive and inactive technologies to minimize its environmental impact. From the selection of materials based on local accessibility to the use of modern techniques to display the city's history, every aspect of the design is carefully considered to achieve sustainability.

The realization of the Seal building involved a meticulous process that focused on the relationship between the building and the city. The design team analyzed the urban layout and center square layout to ensure that the building seamlessly integrates with its surroundings. The use of local materials and attention to detail further enhance the building's connection to its environment.

With a total land area of 13,291 square meters and a gross floor area of 57,487 square meters, Seal stands tall at 66 meters. Its construction began in April 2014 and was completed in August 2017 in Wuhan, Hubei, China.

The Seal building is a testament to the power of design in preserving history and embracing the future. Its unique blend of cultural heritage, user-centric design, and sustainability make it a standout architectural achievement. Seal has been recognized for its excellence and creativity, winning the Bronze A' Design Award in the Architecture, Building, and Structure Design category in 2022. This prestigious award acknowledges the building's contribution to quality of life improvements and its incorporation of best practices in art, science, design, and technology.