The Anji International Convention and Exhibition Center, a groundbreaking architectural project designed by INTERNATIONAL FREDERIC ROLLAND ARCHITECTURE in collaboration with Tus-Design, stands as a testament to innovative design that harmoniously blends with China's natural landscape. Located in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, this massive 182,000 square meter complex is scheduled for completion in 2025 and represents a significant addition to China's convention and exhibition infrastructure.
The project's location in Anji, renowned as China's "Bamboo Hometown" and the birthplace of the "Two Mountains" philosophy, profoundly influenced the architectural concept. Situated in the core area of Anji's Liangshan Future Sci-Tech City, the center is built on a former industrial zone at the edge of the existing urban area. This strategic positioning transforms a once-industrial district into the heart of a futuristic technology city, embodying the region's commitment to sustainable development and urban regeneration.
The design concept, titled "Two Mountains Converging into a Valley," draws inspiration from the naturally elegant silhouette of the surrounding mountains. Lead architects Frederic Rolland and Polly Lo Rolland conceived a form where two architectural masses intersect like converging mountain ranges, creating a central "valley" that serves as the project's focal point. This innovative approach reflects the deep connection between the built environment and the lush mountains and clear waters that define Anji's landscape.
The building's most striking feature is its roofline, which rises and falls rhythmically to evoke the layered ridges of a continuous mountain range. The architects designed the roof to resemble split bamboo strips woven together into a panoramic landscape scroll, paying homage to the region's bamboo heritage. The soaring, tensioned curved structures mimic bamboo's remarkable resilience—bending without breaking—embodying the tenacious and untrammeled spirit of Anji's literati, as exemplified by historical figures like Wu Changshuo.
Functionally, the complex adopts a sophisticated cross-shaped spatial organization that maximizes both efficiency and user experience. Key public spaces are strategically positioned within the inner cross, while auxiliary functions such as logistics and services are arranged along the periphery. The east-west corridor serves as the primary axial space, creating a seamless connection between Lingfeng South Road—the urban arterial road to the east—and the natural waterfront landscape of the Huxi River to the west.
The facility's programmatic distribution reflects careful consideration of user flow and functionality. The exhibition hall occupies the northern section of the corridor, while hotel functions are located to the south. This lightweight yet robust structural design ensures unobstructed views of the mountains and water along the urban landscape axis, maintaining visual connectivity with the surrounding natural environment throughout the complex.
The north-south axis, aptly named "Convention Valley," creates a dynamic connection between the Cultural and Art Center in the north and the Urban Business District in the south. This expansive indoor space functions as the busiest public area of the convention center and transforms into a vibrant, all-weather marketplace during events. The space serves multiple functions, adapting to various activities while maintaining its role as the social heart of the complex.
Flanking the Convention Valley are two impressive column-free spaces: the 10,000-square-meter main exhibition hall and the 5,000-square-meter multi-functional hall. These vast spaces are achieved through innovative long-span truss systems, with steel trusses that arch along the roof profile, exposing clean, powerful lines that are fully visible from within the main halls. This structural honesty creates dramatic interior spaces while maintaining the architectural integrity of the overall design.
The architectural details showcase a masterful use of contemporary materials, including aluminum panels and UHPC (Ultra-High Performance Concrete), to create dynamic plays of light and shadow throughout the complex. These material choices echo the textured curvature of bent bamboo strips, reinforcing the conceptual connection to the region's natural heritage while providing modern performance characteristics suitable for a world-class convention facility.
The project team brought together diverse expertise from multiple disciplines and organizations. Structural design consultation was provided by SARDINI GROUP INC., while engineering services were handled by an extensive team from Tus-Design including Guofeng Su, Xianping Sun, Chunfeng Xie, and numerous other specialists. Landscape design was managed by ACD Yicheng Design, with Caixiang Ye, Qinglan Yang, and their team creating outdoor spaces that complement the architectural vision.
Additional specialized services included façade, interior, lighting, and integrated systems design by Gonghe Design Group Co., Ltd., while hotel interior design consultation was provided by Shanghai Dapu Interior Design Co., Ltd. The project's complexity required coordination with China Railway Construction Group Fourth Construction Co., Ltd. as consultants, and BIM services were provided by Hangzhou Shenhaibimu Construction Technology Co., Ltd.
The entire complex mirrors the essence of a mountain range in its varied elevations and forms—at times crouching low, at others soaring upward, and elsewhere stretching gracefully into the distance. With lines reminiscent of natural landscapes, the building extends organically across the site, creating a landmark that seamlessly integrates with both the environment and the urban character of Anji. This architectural achievement represents a new paradigm for convention centers, one that honors local culture while meeting international standards for modern exhibition and hospitality facilities.
