Dagang Qu's Changchun Aerospace Expo Comprehensive Cultural Building emerges from an elevated aerial perspective as a sweeping biomorphic white form nestled within a verdant peninsular landscape embra

Brilliant azure skies embrace monumental white curvilinear masses that dominate the middle ground of this architectural photograph, where Dagang Qu's Comprehensive Cultural Building emerges as a const

Monumental curves of pristine white cladding rise from verdant parkland in this aerial rendering, establishing a sweeping horizontal silhouette that reads as pure gestural dynamism against the rectili

Dagang Qu's Comprehensive Cultural Building emerges from a pristine winter landscape as a cluster of organic, bulbous forms rendered in gleaming metallic silver, their undulating surfaces catching and

Sweeping horizontal ribbons of pristine white architectural surfaces cascade through this soaring interior atrium, their curvilinear forms spiraling upward in a dynamic helical composition that evokes

Gold Architecture, Building and Structure Design · 2026

Changchun Aerospace Expo Comprehensive Cultural Building

by Cheng Sun, Dagang Qu and Xi Huang

A' Design Award 2026 Gold Winner in Architecture, Building and Structure Design
Awarded April 15, 2026
CLIENT: Harbin Institute of Technology Sun Cheng Young Scientist Studio
Estimated Number of Design Views: 30,710
Verification code 5D08299A30 · Verify this award

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About Changchun Aerospace Expo Comprehensive Cultural Building

Changchun Aerospace Expo is a cultural building for aerospace exhibitions and education, set in a protected wetland in northeast China. The curved form recalls celestial silhouettes and the organic shapes of the wetland. A low-profile layout with a maximum height of 18 meters limits the impact on the site. The accessible first-floor roof joins the surrounding park. A custom steel framework carries the complex curved geometry, and an integrated skin of glass and metal panels provides insulation for the cold climate. The total floor area is about 4500 square meters.

Dagang Qu's Comprehensive Cultural Building represents a significant contribution to contemporary institutional architecture, embodying the aspirational spirit of aerospace exploration through built form that appears to have alighted upon the landscape rather than emerged from conventional construction processes. The design demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of topographical integration, wherein the building's undulating roof planes echo the natural contours of terrain while simultaneously suggesting the aerodynamic profiles associated with flight and cosmic travel. Working within parametric design traditions that have transformed twenty-first century architectural practice, the architect has achieved a synthesis of technological precision and organic sensibility that positions this work among notable examples of biomorphic public architecture. The compositional strategy employs the building as a central anchor within a carefully orchestrated landscape of water features, mature tree groves, and complementary structures that together create a cultural precinct of considerable visual coherence. The chromatic restraint of the predominantly white palette allows the building to function as a luminous presence within the green landscape while reflecting changing atmospheric conditions throughout the day, a quality that connects this work to traditions of environmental responsiveness in architecture. The flowing horizontal emphasis of the design establishes a profound sense of earthbound stability while the upward-curving roof edges suggest imminent ascent, creating productive tension between groundedness and aspiration that seems particularly appropriate for a facility dedicated to aerospace achievement. Viewers might contemplate how the relationship between this singular architectural form and its natural setting proposes a model for harmonious coexistence between human technological ambition and environmental stewardship.

Press Kit

Unique Properties: This aerospace landmark features a curved form that mirrors space silhouettes, linking cosmic aspirations to the wetland. A low-profile layout minimizes ecological impact, while the first-floor roof integrates with the surrounding park to blend culture and leisure. The structure uses a custom steel framework to realize its futuristic motifs, balanced by an integrated skin that ensures thermal efficiency and material savings in a cold climate.
Dimensions & Packaging: The structure occupies a total floor area of approximately 4500 square meters. The building features a maximum height of 18 meters to maintain a low profile relative to the wetland horizon. All dimensions and material tolerances were managed via a centralized BIM model. The primary framework consists of customized structural steel with an integrated high-performance glass and metal panel facade system.
Tags: Aerospace Culture, Computational Design, Nonlinear Form, Severe Cold Climate zone
Production Technology: The project utilized Building Information Modeling and computational design to optimize the structure for extreme cold. High-precision steel fabrication was employed for the complex curved geometries. Advanced simulation tools ensured the integration of utilities within the building form to eliminate dead space. The building skin was developed using parametric modeling to balance aesthetic motifs with high-performance insulation.
Design Challenge: The primary challenge was balancing the bold "flying vehicle" aesthetic with the strict ecological constraints of a wetland site. Realizing the complex curved geometry in a cold-climate region required overcoming thermal bridge issues and structural dead space. Computational design was essential to synchronize the utility systems with the custom steel framework, ensuring that the architectural form remained efficient and functional without sacrificing its artistic vision.
Project Duration: The project began in March 2024 in Changchun and reached the final design stage in March 2025. The site is located within a protected wetland zone in the Northeast region of China.
Operation Flow: Visitors experience a seamless transition from the wetland park onto the accessible roof landscape. Internally, the flow is guided by the building's curved geometry, leading through aerospace exhibits to ecological viewing platforms. The interaction between the interior exhibition space and the exterior natural environment is facilitated by the integrated skin, offering panoramic views of the wetland while maintaining a comfortable indoor climate.
Research: Research focused on integrating aerospace education with ecological preservation in cold climates. Objectives included minimizing site impact and optimizing thermal performance. Methodology involved site analysis and parametric solar studies. Tools included Rhino, Grasshopper, and BIM software. Results demonstrated a 15 percent reduction in material waste. Insights show that aerospace motifs can coexist with sustainable design through advanced computational optimization.
Inspiration: The design is inspired by the intersection of celestial silhouettes and the organic forms of wetland ecosystems. The project seeks to symbolize human aspirations for space exploration while maintaining a deep connection to the terrestrial landscape. The "floating forest" and "flying vehicle" motifs serve as the primary visual drivers for the architectural language.
Image Credits: Image #1: Creator Dagang Qu, Changchun Aerospace Expo, 2024.
Image #1: Creator Xumiao Guo, Changchun Aerospace Expo, 2024.
Image #1: Creator Dagang Qu and Xumiao Guo, Changchun Aerospace Expo, 2024.
Image #1: Creator Dagang Qu, Changchun Aerospace Expo, 2024.
Image #1: Creator Dagang Qu, Changchun Aerospace Expo, 2024.