HOT Design’s Landmark CANNANO Exhibition Center
HOT Design has unveiled a groundbreaking architectural marvel with the Exhibition Center of CANNANO, the first “Spherical Glulam Latticed Shell” building in China. Strategically located in Guangzhou’s Huangpu District, at the heart of the CANNANO Park, the structure exemplifies innovation in architectural design and materials. Its dome-like form spans a diameter of 39 meters and rises 21 meters high, encompassing a total floor area of 4,158.99 square meters.
The basement level, primarily dedicated to equipment and utility spaces, covers 992.63 square meters, while the above-ground levels host exhibition halls, reception areas, and conference spaces across 3,166.36 square meters. Designed by HOT Design to become a global leader in nanotechnology exhibition facilities, the center also serves as a platform for showcasing research achievements and hosting high-profile events.
Inspired by the “Sequoia Culture,” a core concept of CANNANO, the design reflects HOT Design’s commitment to cultural symbolism and architectural innovation. Drawing parallels to the resilience and mutual support of sequoia trees, the structure emphasizes collaboration and shared growth among teams and disciplines. This ethos is materialized through its dual structural system: a spherical glulam latticed shell and a main steel framework. HOT Design integrates these systems seamlessly to align with the institute’s vision of fostering innovation and creating value in China’s high-tech landscape.
The glulam latticed shell, the first of its kind in China, is a testament to HOT Design’s innovative approach. Conceptualized as an intricate wooden grid, it evokes the interwoven roots of a sequoia tree. Rising from the core of the site, the structure extends upward into an “apple core” geometry, symbolizing unity and academic excellence. Engineered using a Zollinger hyperbolic support system of wooden beams, complemented by mortise-and-tenon joints, pre-tensioned pull rings, and steel components, it forms the framework for a hemispherical glass curtain wall.
HOT Design further enhances functionality through a steel framework that provides flexibility and open interior spaces. With three strategically spaced core tubes housing staircases and logistical equipment rooms, the design supports overhanging slabs on the upper floors, creating column-free spaces that emphasize openness and fluidity. This innovative engineering demonstrates Hot Design’s dedication to blending form and function.
The glass curtain wall, characterized by a hidden-frame system, aligns seamlessly with the glulam shell’s diamond cross-weave pattern, transitioning to triangular divisions at its apex. This careful geometric alignment ensures both aesthetic appeal and economic efficiency. The glass façade, outlined by black splicing glue seams, resembles a three-dimensional galaxy, an iconic imprint within the park.
Inside, the material palette combines the warmth of wood, representing the “Sequoia culture,” with cutting-edge elements such as anodized aluminum and ultra-white glass, symbolizing technological advancement. Floors of epoxy terrazzo, wood veneer walls, and integrated ceiling systems enhance the modern and futuristic ambiance. Custom circular equipment belts harmonize with lighting, air conditioning vents, and sprinklers, emphasizing precision akin to spacecraft engineering.
The center’s functionality is distributed across three levels. The ground floor houses the exhibition hall, divided into sections that guide visitors through narratives of innovation, entrepreneurship, and dream creation. The second floor features versatile spaces, including academic conference rooms, a multifunctional activity hall, and a reading area for smaller gatherings. The top floor offers a 360-degree panoramic platform with spaces for media releases, salons, and refreshment areas, elevating its role as a cultural and technological hub.
All images by Liu Junnan, courtesy of HOT Design, shared with permission
