The ‘Nanjing international youth cultural centre’ in china is located on the river in hexi new town – nanjing’s central business district. The project which was completed in 2014 by zaha hadid, contains a large conference room which uses dotted ceiling inserts to illuminate the 194,000 meter space. GD-lighting design who were responsible for the fixtures decided not to use functional spot lights, but instead chose to use luminescence films to compliment the interior.

The large conference room uses dotted ceiling lights to illuminate the 194,000 meter space

Due to the lack of daylight within the concert hall, the dependancy on light was a crucial architectural element within the design. In keeping with the geometric structure of the building, small holes and swirling shapes were cut out of the surface allowing light to pour through into the interior. these patterns were translated to the reception room, using diamond inserts and thin strips highlighting the supporting elements such as the elevators and columns.

Small holes and swirling shapes were cut out of the surface

The lights follow the direction of the structure

Small diamonds were cut out of the roof

The shapes are in keeping with the geometric structure of the building

Thin strips highlight the supporting elements such as the elevators and columns

The light reflected on the pool below

The lights mirror the shapes on the wall

(Source:designboom)