ArchDaily In-Depth is an interview series featuring architects with long-term expertise in specific typologies. Selected firms must have been established for over a decade, or boast a substantial portfolio of completed and ongoing projects in a specialized field, backed by a robust theoretical framework. Recently, we spoke with the lead architects of the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center—one of the world's largest single buildings—the team at Valode & Pistre (VP). Their portfolio also includes the Sanya Haitang Bay International Duty-Free Complex, Haikou International Duty-Free City, Hangzhou Grand Exhibition Center, Jinan International Exhibition Center, and Wuhan International Exhibition Center. How do these mega-scale urban landmarks balance civic symbolism with architectural functionality? How do they reconcile colossal structural spans with the human scale? How many design iterations did it take, and how did they achieve sustainability in both program and construction? This article decodes the design process behind large-scale exhibition architecture.
