Designed with an angular steel and glass facade, the expo center is inspired by the surrounding landscape and the convergence of fresh and salt water.

The expo center will host international and domestic tradeshows, a variety of performances and other large events, and will also serve as a gateway to the Water City Development.

The first phase will consist of a new 180,000 sq m (1,940,000 sq ft) exposition center. This will include 10 flat-floor expo halls, one multi-purpose hall, two lobbies, retail space and a central outdoor expo plaza.

At the front entrance, guests will be met by a grand sweeping arc of glass shaded with large overhangs to protect from solar heat gain.

"As part of a global effort to rethink how we design our built environment, it is critical that a civic facility like the Aoshan Bay International Exhibition Center help lead the way to a more sustainable future", says Robert Mankin, AIA, partner with NBBJ.