Sino-Italian Cultural Exchange City Reception Center: A town hall hidden in the forest

Chengdu has a civilization history of 4,500 years and a city-building history of 2,300 years. In the 13th century, Marco Polo arrived here, initiating communication between the two nations. In the 21st century, architects from the aoe studio design the Sino-Italian Cultural Exchange City Reception Center, which becomes a significant part of the city, drawing inspiration from the intersection and differences between Eastern and Western cultures

The overall design concept was drawn from the "Ruyi", a gift used in China since ancient times for foreign ambassadors as a sign of peace and friendship. The design of the Italian pavilion takes its inspiration from Italy's most representative square: an intimate and pleasingly scaled urban art lounge. Design elements are extracted from ancient Roman arches and domes; the space of multiple circular squares is used for a rich and versatile purpose that meets the multifunctional needs of exhibition, meeting, reception, and catering of the Center

The use of pure white on all walls gives the building a three-dimensional light effect. The interior of the building is a flowing space shaped by 10 circular walls. Except for the solid round wall, both the interior and exterior boundaries are all made of glass: the surrounding natural landscape becomes part of the exhibition in the form of a framed backdrop. The visitor passes through the tympanum to the Italian square and ascends a curved staircase to the rooftop garden

The harmony between architecture and nature lies in the utilization of natural resources and environmental protection: the building's design employs materials such as Low-E glass, local wood, and green roofs to reduce energy consumption. In terms of space planning, the designers allocated the most flexible space for the exhibition. The staggered height of the building allows visitors to stand at different heights and view various scenes, creating a "walk in the woods" mood and a unique experience

The Chinese Cultural Hall on the east side of the complex can be accessed by walking through the cultural corridor or crossing the extended Chinese white jade floor over the water mirror. The two pathways symbolize the two Silk Roads between East and West, on land and over water