African Design Magazine ADM #41 June 2018 | Page 41

CUTTING-EDGE DESIGN
It is also an architectural language
borrowed to pay tribute to DNA, the
most important source code of modern
biopharmaceutical industry.
The core space of the centre uses
double helix structure, thus creating a
vertical space combined with the central
landscape. Its exterior uses metal louvres
hovering from the surface waterscape
until they reach the roof platform. The
interior is organically connected in series
via spiral ramps which form life trails, and
create coherent and convenient internal
flow lines amongst the floors. Three
ellipses with different functions rotate in
different directions, forming a variety of
interesting spaces. The continuous curves
indoors and outdoors
simultaneously form double helix
structures, which satisfy the visual
requirements in all directions. The
spiral louvres condense into an organic
structure that traps the three ellipses
and forms an infinitely continuous plastic
form.
The first floor of the building is a display
space, whose large area of floor-to-ceiling
glass curtain walls better connect the
indoor and outdoor views. The second
floor is a flexible office space that meets
the needs of different groups of people, it
forms a visual continuity with the central
space through glass partitions. The dining
space on the third floor is the highest
point of the entire building, and the
outdoor viewing platform also provides a
view of the entire park.
On the shutter profiles made of metal
aluminum panels each louvre section
is shuttle shaped, and perforated
aluminum plate is used to
make the entire building lighter,
and different light and shade
effects are produced with the
varying sunlight angles. Each
shuttle louvre is rotated 30°
in the direction of the spirals,
cleverly concealing the lamp
troughs at the ends, and the
AFRICAN DESIGN MAGAZINE © | JUNE 2018
41