ASIA - The design of the new Yingkou Convention and Exposition Centre in Yingkou, China has been awarded to 2DEFINE Architecture.

The US$68m, four-storey facility in Yingkou, China will be a sea urchin-shaped building created to reflect its natural environment. The oblong building will have no front or back so it will face in all directions to allow 360-degree views.

The convention centre will be situated on a 130,000sqm man-made island which will serve as a business destination. Construction of the island will commence in 2012 with a view to be completed in 2014.

"The Yingkou Convention and Exposition Centre will be a bold yet inviting facility in a very prominent port location," says founder and Lead designer of 2DEFINE Architecture. "We hope the building will become the heart of the city by creating a building and environs that can be used 365 days of the year."

The centre will include a 25,000sqm exhibition hall, various meeting rooms, a 200-seat auditorium, a banquet hall with capacity for 900 and a large glass atrium.

In addition, the centre will feature a unique rain screen system on the roof that will reflect natural light during the day, and create a soft glowing form at night with minimal use of artificial light. Qiao Zhang, a partner at 2DEFINE says the building is a "significant green development in Northern China, and a showcase for business development along the Bohai Sea".

2DEFINE will work on the project with the Dalian Urban Planning and Design Institute.

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