Dongshan Tourist Center

A Tourist Service Center Competition in Dongshan, China

lead designer / concept phase  / 3D / imagery
Kobi Karp Miami 2011
with collaboration of Mauro Comolli

Dongshan Tourist Service Center is centrally and strategically located in an important intersection node serving as The Gateway for tourists visiting the great city. This Tourist Service Center will serve as the welcoming attraction to the community. It will house a convention center and exhibition hall among other public functions, to provide people with a first-class guest experience and international services. As a tourist center this building assumes an important role as the gathering point upon arriving at and entering the Dongshan. The conceptual vision of the form of the building is derived from observations of the unique local and natural context; for example, the local flora, fauna and the natural and physical history of Dongshan. This icon is inspired by the curves of the wind-moving stones. The strong winds and continuous waves hitting the rocky shores reflect the inherent strength of the local community. The massing of this building takes its shape from the stacked boulders shaped by the wind and smoothed by the water. The pedestal of the building is inspired to rise out of the ground that resembles the curved Pagoda roof tops, round ceramic roof tiles and arches. The large naturally lit interior open public spaces arise vertically in an incense smoke inspired fl ow of open volumes bathed in naturally lit spaces.