tabanlioglu architects: sipopo congress center

'sipopo congress center' by tabanlıoğlu architects, malabo, equatorial guinea
image © emre dörter


at istanbul design week, melkan gursel tabanlioglu, co-founder of the istanbul-based firm tabanlıoğlu architects
presented the 'sipopo congress center'. the project has been recently shortlisted for an award in the civic and
community category for the 2011 world architecture festival. positioned along the western coast of africa,
this facility for diplomatic relations within the capital city of malabo, equatorial guinea, is open to negotiations
between leaders of diverse african cultures. a transparent rectangular volume has been wrapped within a laced
envelope to offer filtered views of the adjacent bay and wooded surroundings while shielding the interior from
strong direct sunlight.



elevation
image © emre dörter


the veiled cladding has been pulled away from the unframed curtain wall, providing a continuous surface for the
encompassing nature to reflect within the glass. the sun's rays filter through the bronze mesh units, colored to match
the trunks of the native trees. dictated by the orientation of the building, the angles and placement of the delicate
and detailed geometric panels are adjusted to ensure solar gain is reduced and energy efficiency is maintained.



pedestrian bridge leading into the center
image © emre dörter


a transparent pedestrian bridge leads to the double-height atrium and lobby dappled with light created by the
exterior's incised patterns. the conference hall which hosts confidential affairs is bounded by an opaque wall covered
with materials to address acoustic issues. timber, natural stone and glass were specifically chosen to reduce ambient
sounds in addition to three dimensional panels with facets. decor is derived from local cultural motifs and regional
landscape forms and vegetation introducing traces of heritage into the contemporary architecture.



surrounding woods are reflected within the glass facade
image © emre dörter



upward view of cantilevered panels
image © emre dörter



panels wrap around the corner
image © emre dörter



detail of support structure for metal panels
image © emre dörter



metal panel facade at sunset
image © emre dörter



connection bridge leading to the lobby
image © emre dörter



lobby with ocean views
image © emre dörter



chandelier and wooden ceiling panels
image © emre dörter



(left) angled mirrored panels
(right) angled and backlit wood panels
images © emre dörter



main conference hall
images © emre dörter



(left) detail of wood furniture
(right) folded mesh wall panels
images © emre dörter



illuminated at night
image © emre dörter



at night
image © emre dörter



context map
image © tabanlıoğlu architects



floor plan / level 0
image © tabanlıoğlu architects



floor plan / level 1
image © tabanlıoğlu architects



section
image © tabanlıoğlu architects



aerial map
image © tabanlıoğlu architects



location on a world map
image © tabanlıoğlu architects


project info:


client: oficina nacional de planification y seguimiento de proyectos de guinea ecuatorial “ge- proyectos”
general contractor: onur-summa j.v.
architect: tabanlıoğlu architects
melkan gürsel & murat tabanlıoğlu
architectural project team: salih yılgörür, ali çalışkan, sertaç tümer, utkan yonter, emre çetinel, elvin erkut, tugce güleç
interior design: tabanlıoğlu architects
hacer akgun marino, eda lerzan tuçbil, esra çanakkale, gonca yılmaz ağbaş, anday bodur
landscape consultant: tabanlıoğlu architects
structural engineer: emir mühendislik, adnan öğüt
mechanical engineer: dt mühendislik ve taahhüt a.ş.
electrical engineer: dt mühendislik ve taahhüt a.ş.
fire consultant: prof. dr. abdurrahman kılıç
acoustic consultant: std, sorgun akkor
architectural lighting consulting: zkld studio
sound & media screen systems consultancy: ateksis dış tic. ltd. şti.
glass & alum. facade: arte yapı sistemleri
metal mesh cladding: arte yapı sistemleri
steel works: modül çelik / umd
wood works & furniture: nurus
site area: 11.700 m²
construction area: 13.708 m²
photography: emre dörter
starting date of design: 11.01.2011
starting date of construction: 11.01.2011
completion date of design: 11.02.2011
completion date of construction: 23.06.2011