This civic center of culture & sports in the oasis city of the Gobi desert explores the relationship of heaven and earth. The so-called demo district is the new city zone built to the north of the old Turpan town. The site is rectangular at 18,000 SM. The new building will house functions such as a district library, archives collection, fine art, music classrooms, and a gym for basketball, ping pong, and badminton. The total building area is 18,000 SM, 15,000 of which is above grade.
SAAN’s design scheme organizes everything in a courtyard with a circular form on the outside and a square shape on the inside. The circular exterior is reinforced by a layer of the patterned ring, inclining from north to south, supported by pillars of the arcade. The analogy of heaven is expressed by the circular ring, whose intricate faces of stars and diamonds will glister like desert sands, ocean waves, and the Milky Way universe. Once inside the complex, a sense of home is achieved in its square courtyard. Trees grow inside and out, providing shade and greenery, which is precious in the region. Earth is praised here as people celebrate culture and art.
A multifunctional craft in the shape of a swirling cloud provides a sense of motion and affords a dialog between heaven and earth. It adds a technological and futuristic dimension to this civic center. To complement the architecture, the site design echoes the building with waves of dunes and low walls as an outdoor display of artwork and public seating, reminding people of the desert features. A strong curve of steps helps to define entrances of the building and way-finding.