REN / People’s Building

The REN building is a proposal for a hotel, sports and conference center for the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai. The building is concieved as two buildings merging into one. The first building, emerging from the water, is devoted to the activities of the body, and houses the sports and water culture center. The second building emerging from land, is devoted to the spirit and enlightenment, and houses the conference center. The two buildings meet in a 1000 room hotel, a building for living. Together the two buildings become a tower and an arch at once. The arch covers a square for gatherings and activities, exactly on the main axis of the expo site overlooking the Huangpu River. The square is sheltered from the rain, but allows the sunlight through, from east in the morning and from west in the evening. Large curved plazas cover the pool and conference buildings, creating a continuous recreational puplic space along the river. Round openings and rooflights bring light to the auditoriums and pools, and become gradually denser as they rise from the river, eventually becomming glittering windows and terraces for the hotel rooms. The REN building could be the Eiffel Tower of Shanghai, a landmark symbolising the people oriented persuit of the Shanghai Expo 2010.