The Beijing-based architecture firm AOE has created a truly beautiful work with this first art center specializing in Sino-Italian cultural exchange. It is remarkable in both substance and form. Located near the city of Chengdu, this building aims to showcase Chinese and Italian cultures, creating a crossroads between East and West.
The overall concept draws inspiration from the "ruyi," an object used since ancient China as an auspicious gift presented to foreign ambassadors to signify the establishment of friendly relations and peace between the two countries. The Italian pavilion, for its part, draws on the arches and domes of Roman antiquity, as well as the iconic Italian piazza, with its fountains and amphitheaters. Harmony between architecture and nature is achieved through the use of natural resources and environmental protection. The omnipresence of white illuminates the circular and semi-circular building, forming a multi-purpose space dedicated to different sections (exhibitions, meetings, receptions, and catering). Large windows connect the interior and exterior, allowing for the complete integration of the lush landscape. And near the center lies the Chinese cultural hall, nestled within a bamboo grove. Two paths, one of which is made of white jade from China above a pond, connect the two buildings, thus symbolizing the two Silk Roads between East and West, on land and on water.
Arch-Exist Photography
Arch-Exist Photography
Nathalie Dassa
