The team won with a design referring to a prime characteristics of cartoons – the speech balloon. The eight balloon-shaped volumes create an internally-complex 30,000m2 museum in Hangzhou, China.
Arup supported the team with technical concepts on structure, climate design and sustainability.
The structure for the building will integrate with and articulate the architectural bubble forms. A common base ‘platform’ structure links the bubbles and supporting legs to create a robust frame. The circulation cores (containing lifts and fire escapes) form the supporting legs.
The bubble shell structure is proposed to be a hybrid system incorporating lightweight structural steel and sandwich of concrete-steel-concrete.
The aerodynamic rounded shape provides natural ventilation, an even wind pressure distribution over the façade, and comfortable air velocities.
Energy demand and carbon emissions are reduced through efficient heating, cooling and air conditioning, using techniques such as ground water heating and cooling, and combined heat and power (CHP).
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