On 30th October 2014, the Zhuhai Municipal Government officiated the grand opening of the new Zhuhai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, being the first phase of the Shizimen Central Business District in China.  Together with the Mayor of Zhuhai, the Chairman of Huafa, the Project's Chief Designer - Gordon Affleck, and Project Director – Miriam Auyeung attended.  The development is strategically located along the Zhuhai waterfront, maximising close proximity to Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau, catalysing economic development of the wider Hengqin Region.

Gordon and Miriam led the design team for the complex from the competition winning entry and worked closely with the client  to the completion of the first phase.  Recently the team at 10 DESIGN have been commissioned to advise on the future design phases of the development.

The overall development comprises 640,000 sqm of accommodation. The first phases incorporate 362,000 sqm of convention, theatre, music hall, exhibition, and banquet facilities. These public and civic functions are supported with retail, F+B, serviced apartments, a 548 key Sheraton Hotel, and a 320m high tower which accommodates grade A office spaces together with a 250 key St Regis Hotel. 

As the chief designer of the development, Gordon was invited as the key note speaker at the formal opening ceremony.  The core message described  “how convention and exhibition facilities if properly considered can play a vital role in the economic development of a region.”  He explained that convention and exhibition centres facilitate communication and act as catalysts for trade and commerce regionally and globally. A summary of the keynote speech below:

Commercial sustainability is critical. There are several interactive ingredients leading to primary commercial successes: Location, Flexibility, and Diversity.

> via 10design.co