Inspired by the jagged and characteristic landscape of Lanzarote, the Palacio de Congresos by Henning Larsen Architects emphasizes the surrounding nature. The building is a graceful lava mountain with an inner red glow and a lively inner life. The building is designed to be a new cultural transformation point for Lanzarote and a showcase of island features, vast nature with mountains, ocean and high skies. The building was made for this place and this place alone.
The transparent form emphasizes the identity and develops the profile of the city. As a geological formation, it creates a dedicated horizon for the city and island. With a silhouette similar to a mountain ridge, the composition creates foreground and background in constant flux, depending on different points of view. From Arrecife, the Palacio de Congresos is very visible and dramatic at the end of the walk. Without the backside, the building will appear to be a landmark from the ocean, the city, and all driveways. The main lobby is raised from traffic and opens up to the city and ocean promenade. It welcomes visitors and features an interior glow and activity, and the city park is invigorated as part of the entrance square, leading the way into the “ceremonial area” and the building’s grand entrance. One collective hall, like a cave, achieves eye contact to all levels and converts, with precise views back to the city and city park, the horizon of mountains, ocean horizon and sky. The hall is divided into specific areas dedicated to different halls, but was designed to collect everything. actions to give visitors the opportunity to grasp and appreciate the whole space and all visitors. The cave hall spans from street level to the city and the plateau to the east, connecting the main hall of the conference room with the hall dedicated to the main auditorium. This allows for future events as for the example of a fair or exhibition building on a plateau that will be associated with a building infrastructure. In addition to creating a very special building for Lanzarote, one of the design goals was to design a very flexible building. Particular attention has therefore been paid to all rooms to make them as flexible as possible so that different scenarios can take place. With well-known techniques for elevated floors, partition walls and technical installations, the main hall, auditorium and second conference room can be modified to suit different uses. The main conference room and auditorium share the stage tower. This allows for large arrangements with 1,800 people seated on the conference room floor and in the auditorium booths, supplemented with gallery seats in the second level lobby. The close proximity of the main conference room to the kitchen areas allows for larger catered arrangements. With the islands temperate, the sheltered and shaded Conference Square will act as an additional lobby area for these larger arrangements. A special treat is given to visitors from abroad with the experience of a truly open relationship between indoor and outdoor areas, allowing the conference to be led outside with a magnificent view of the ocean. For smaller arrangements, the halls are separated and divided with partition walls and elevated seating in the auditorium is achieved by a retractable seating systemoffering the possibility of a flat floor arrangement. The main conference room and stage space provide convenient L-level loading, added by a loading area from the parking lot below the Conference Plaza. Government areas with separate street access are located on the upper level to the city and ocean, sharing a shaded outdoor atrium with rental areas. If additional rental space is needed at the street level can be accessed under and at the Conference Plaza. The building appears to be illuminated from the inside by an intense cave hall. With its ledges and cracks, filtered secondary light will provide a special atmosphere in the cave lobby. A layer of partially intelligent shells covers the outside of the concrete structure. These sinks will shade the building envelope from the sun and provide for making large openings in the building while keeping the interior cool and shaded. Reflective shells will contain a new generation of solar photovoltaic panels in parts. To enhance the effect of filtered daylight and artificial light, the surfaces of the cave hall are smooth and in parts, add exceptionally glossy reflections and glorious glare.
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