Hangzhou International Conference Center by Huandy618 licensed under the terms of CC BY-SA 3.0
Completed in 2010, this massive complex is actually seven buildings in one. It consists of six high-rise office buildings that are all connected by a circular skybridge. These surround a seventh hub building in the center that comes complete with a rooftop garden.
The building is enclosed by a multi-layered fabric, which was inspired by the planting-nets for the tea that the region is known for. The architects say they also drew inspiration from the natural beauty of local lotus blossoms.
For all the references to nature and the past, Congress Center seems more like an ultra-urban vision of the future.
