Fencing Hall
With a striking curved roof that pays homage to traditional Chinese architecture, the Fencing Hall/National Convention Center is a striking addition to Beijing’s Olympic Green and a major contribution to the city’s modern architecture.
During the Olympics the venue is host to the fencing and pentathlon events, and has a dual role as the international broadcasting centre and main press centre. Following the Games, the building will serve as world class exhibition, convention, banqueting and retail centre with the capacity to hold 6,000 people.
The Fencing Hall/National Convention Center is made up of several buildings linked by a ‘street zone’ that stretches the length of the building. Landscaping is an integral part of the design, with ornamental gardens providing a retreat for visitors to the venue.
The distinctive roof doubles as a major environmental feature of the building. Its shape mirrors traditional Chinese ‘flying roofs’ and acts as a giant rainwater collector. Water is channeled into a treatment facility and used to supply the ornamental gardens.
Traditional air conditioning is replaced by an innovative energy-saving system. A garden seven meters below ground level with a cooler temperature than inside the Fencing Hall/National Convention Center is used to cool the indoor space naturally. This saves an estimated 380,000 kilowatts each year.
The full-height glass façade along the front face of the building reinforces the minimalist structure and the elegance of the architectural design.