Page 77 - Designing Ways 242

The circular space consists of two spatial forms: indoor and piazza;
three outdoor semi-circular piazzas are defined as the entrance:
fountain piazza, the Italian piazza, and the outdoor theatre, each
reproducing a typical Italian urban piazza space. The Piazza Italia
is surrounded by the ruins of the Roman arches. The three indoor
circular spaces are designed as a meeting hall, a multi-functional
hall, and a multimedia showroom, which are arranged around the
central exhibition hall. By controlling the size of the circular wall
openings, the light and darkness of the space are defined, while the
meeting room is surrounded by water features and sculptures. The
other five outdoor semi-circular walls are surrounded by greenery
and mountains, facing nature.

The visitor crosses the gable to the Italian piazza and ascends a curved
staircase to the roof garden. There are two circular gardens, one in
the east and one in the west, which are complemented by the contrast
between natural vegetation and stone.

The Chinese Cultural Hall on the east side is reached by walking
down through the cultural corridor or stepping over the Chinese
white jade pavement above the water pond. The two paths symbolize
the two Silk Roads between East and West, on land and on water. dw

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dw • Issue 242 77