Gold Interior Space and Exhibition Design · 2020
Shimao Wisdom Door Exhibition Center
by Grace Kwai
- A' Design Award 2020 Gold Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Awarded April 15, 2020
- CLIENT: G&K Architecture Design
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 20,773
- Verification code 35E313F21F · Verify this award
About Shimao Wisdom Door Exhibition Center
Shimao Wisdom Door is an exhibition center in Ningbo, China. The exhibition center serves two high-rise landmark buildings that host technology companies. The space is used for press conferences on artificial intelligence products and new technology, so a modern technology theme runs through the whole interior. A black and white palette sets the basic tone. Glass forms the surrounding walls and black marble is paved on the floor. Shimmering vertical threads on both sides add light to the dark setting. A large black art installation wraps the spiral stairs.
Positioned within the evolving discourse of experiential architecture and immersive spatial design, this exhibition center by Grace Kwai demonstrates extraordinary command of material, light, and atmospheric transformation. The installation appears to draw upon traditions of light and space practice while extending these concerns into the realm of commercial and exhibition architecture, where the creation of memorable visitor experiences serves both aesthetic and functional imperatives. The suspended filament field represents a technically sophisticated achievement, requiring precise engineering to maintain the even vertical distribution and optimal translucency that generates the space's signature atmospheric quality. The central spiral staircase functions simultaneously as circulation infrastructure and sculptural centerpiece, its dark metallic materiality providing essential visual grounding within the otherwise dematerialized environment. The designer demonstrates refined understanding of how repetitive linear elements at architectural scale can transform perception, creating spaces that seem to oscillate between physical presence and luminous dissolution. The chromatic restraint, limited primarily to cool neutrals and metallic accents, amplifies the transcendent quality of the experience while maintaining the sophisticated elegance appropriate to contemporary exhibition contexts. Thematically, the work seems to engage with concepts of threshold, transition, and revelation, the suspended curtain suggesting a permeable boundary between realms while the ascending spiral implies journey and elevation. The spherical elements scattered through the lower zone may reference celestial or molecular imagery, introducing scale ambiguity that enriches the contemplative dimension. One might consider how this environment transforms the act of viewing into an experience of spatial immersion, where visitors become participants within a luminous field rather than observers of static displays.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The project is an exhibition center of two super high-rise landmark building, in which many leading tech companies will be stationed, such as Alibaba, Tencent, and other IT companies. It features modern technology and IoT concept, which is embodied by the intelligence of interior hardware facilities.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The main function areas on the ground floor include entrance hall, display screen, core stage, water bar, negotiation area, VIP interview room, media room, public restroom, and workplace. On the first floor, there are meeting room, finance room, art display area, outdoor seating area, and inner courtyard landscape. The light, shadow, meaning, art and concept are integrated in the space structure in the form of streamline. Each function area are connected and integrated to form a whole space.
- Tags
- exhibition center, interior design, sales center, installation, natural art
- Production Technology
- The exhibition center will be used for news conference of future artificial intelligence products and new technology of government. In order to highlight this characteristic, the modern science and technology theme goes through the whole space. The palette of black and white creates the basic tone, where glass is used to make the surrounding walls and black marble is paved on the floor. Shimmering threads are decorated vertically on the two sides to highlight the modern technology sense in the dark environment.
- Design Challenge
- To make the project an iconic image, a vast black original art installation is set to wrap the spiral stairs. When looked far away, it seems like a reflection of mountain on a peaceful lake. What's more, as the main communicate area for visitors, the entrance hall give people an impression of Zen and imagination .
- Project Duration
- The project finished in May 2019 in Ningbo, Hangzhou, China.
- Operation Flow
- The space serves people, so the space design should meet the needs of owners. On the premise of necessary functional requirements, the design team create a different exhibition center space through regular products with original design, so as to create the best effect of art space.
- Research
- Design conveys a specific life attitude. It needs the accumulation and test of time, being enriching and improving all the time. It is a perfect process of innovation breakthrough. In the designer's point of view, the values of design lie in two aspects: meeting people's needs for space functions and combining function and aesthetics with a soul just like human.
- Inspiration
- The design concept is inspired by a philosophical idea on universe. Everything is connected, and it goes in cycle. So, none or zero is a vast void, which is endless and limitless, thus containing and connecting each individual repeatedly.