Dalian International Conference Center / Coop Himmelb(l)au

Architects: Coop Himmelb(l)au
Area: 117,650 m²
Year: 2012
Photography: Duccio Malagamba
Manufacturers: Kalzip, Hunter Douglas
Lighting Design: a•g Licht, Wilfried Kramb
Structural Engineering: B+G Ingenieure Bollinger + Grohmann GmbH, Bollinger + Grohmann, DADRI Dalian Institute of Architecture Design and Research Co., Ltd, Dalian, P.R. China
General Contractor: China Construction Eighth Engineering Division Corp., Ltd.
Acoustics: Müller-BBM GmbH, Planegg, Eckard Mommerz
Design Principal: Wolf D. Prix
Project Partner: Paul Kath, Wolfgang Reicht
Project Architect: Wolfgang Reicht
Design Architect: Alexander Ott
Client: Dalian Municipal People’s Government, P.R. China
City: Dalian
Country: China

The Dalian International Conference Center, designed by Coop Himmelb(l)au in Dalian, China, stands as a key architectural landmark, reflecting the city’s transformation into an international economic and cultural hub. Completed in 2012, the building merges a grand theater, opera house, exhibition halls, and conference spaces within a fluid, sculptural form that interacts with the city’s evolving skyline. Its layout follows major urban axes, creating cantilevered volumes and a perforated aluminum façade that optimizes natural light and views of the surrounding area. Sustainability strategies, including seawater-based thermal regulation, natural ventilation, and solar energy integration, enhance operational efficiency. The structural system, using over 40,000 tons of steel, allows spans exceeding 85 meters and cantilevers of more than 40 meters, demonstrating advanced engineering adapted to large-scale public use.

The idea was to create an instantly recognizable landmark and icon at the terminal point of the extension of the city’s main axis. So, the design was meant to reflect the city’s ambitions as a growing center for commerce, culture, and innovation. The truly novel aspect of the Dalian Conference Center is the hybrid combination of an opera house and a conference center that can accommodate up to 6,000 visitors. I like that the building’s vibrant climate skin, which gives it its unique look, wasn’t just a design exercise. It allowed us to create complex forms and technical designs based on the climate and natural light.
Interview with Wolf dPrix of Coop Himmelb(l)au

Dalian international conference center / coop himmelb(l)au

Dalian, a major seaport and industrial center in China’s Liaoning Province, is undergoing significant redevelopment, including relocating its container port, establishing an international cruise terminal, and expanding its central business district. The Dalian International Conference Center plays a vital role in this transformation, positioned at the terminus of the city’s future main axis. Designed by Coop Himmelb(l)au, the structure combines the functionality of a modern conference venue with an expressive architectural form that embodies the city’s maritime history and vision for future growth.

The building’s footprint aligns with two major urban axes, creating a dynamic and sculptural form that integrates with its surroundings. Cantilevered volumes extend from the façade, reinforcing a sense of movement while defining distinct spatial zones. The perforated aluminum slats of the outer shell allow natural light to filter inside while maintaining a controlled internal environment. A large, shell-like roof structure enhances the interplay between light and space, optimizing the atmospheric qualities within. The building consolidates multiple functions within a single hybrid structure, including a conference center, opera house, exhibition halls, and underground parking. A public zone at the ground level organizes access for different user groups, while the main performance and conference spaces are elevated 15.3 meters above the entrance hall. The 1,600-seat grand theater is adjacent to a 2,500-seat flexible conference hall, designed with a shared stage configuration that enables both spaces to function independently or in unison. This layout maximizes adaptability, allowing for diverse events, from theater performances to international summits, with minimal modifications. Smaller conference rooms are positioned around the central spaces, ensuring efficient circulation and reducing transition times. The interior is arranged as an urban-inspired network of interconnected “streets” and “squares,” improving wayfinding while creating informal gathering areas, relaxation zones, and internal gardens with visual connections to the exterior.

The project integrates advanced technology and sustainability measures. The building’s technical infrastructure is housed in the basement, structured within a grid that supports high visitor flow while maintaining optimal thermal and acoustic conditions. Conditioned air is silently distributed through an inflated double-floor system beneath the seating, while rising heat is passively extracted at ceiling level, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling. Sustainability strategies include seawater-based thermal regulation through heat pumps for seasonal heating and cooling, low-temperature heating with concrete core activation to stabilize interior temperatures, and natural ventilation to minimize energy consumption. The atrium beneath the roof serves as a solar-heated, naturally ventilated sub-climatic space, reducing mechanical intervention. Maximized daylight utilization decreases artificial lighting demands, while solar panels integrated into the building’s geometry contribute to on-site energy production.

The structural system consists of two primary steel space-frame components: a “table” and a roof, each ranging in depth from 5 to 8 meters. The structure is elevated 7 meters above ground level and supported by 14 composite steel and concrete cores. A doubly ruled façade structure connects the roof and table, forming a load-bearing shell that reinforces structural stability. The project leveraged local shipbuilding expertise to bend massive steel plates, facilitating the construction of its complex geometry. More than 40,000 tons of steel were used to achieve spans exceeding 85 meters and cantilevers extending beyond 40 meters, showcasing innovative engineering adapted for large-scale public use. The conference halls extend outward, deforming the metallic skin to express the program’s internal layout. In key public areas, the perforated aluminum slats open selectively, offering framed views of the city and Dalian Bay.

The design of the building was shaped by its intended role as a venue for the World Economic Forum’s “Summer Davos,” influencing its spatial arrangement and technical requirements. The flexible configuration allows for a variety of functions, from opera performances to high-profile business conferences, supporting a diverse range of cultural and professional events. As a fusion of form, function, and sustainability, the Dalian International Conference Center serves as both a civic landmark and an example of high-performance architectural design.