![Yabuli Conference Centre by MAD](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2018/07/mad-china-entrepreneur-forum-conference-centre-architecture_dezeen_1704_hero-852x480.jpg)
MAD reveals designs for Yabuli Conference Centre in Chinese mountains
Construction has begun on a sinuous conference centre designed by MAD for the mountainous region of Yabuli in northeast China.
![Yabuli Conference Centre by MAD](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2018/07/mad-china-entrepreneur-forum-conference-centre-architecture_dezeen_1704_col_6-852x759.jpg)
Named the Yabuli Conference Centre, the 16,198 square metre venue will become the permanent venue for hosting the annual China Entrepreneur Forum (CEF) event.
The four-storey building will contain a large 1,000-seat auditorium, as well as a secondary 350-seat venue and a series of conference rooms and studios. The building will also include a library space.
![Yabuli Conference Centre by MAD](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2018/07/mad-china-entrepreneur-forum-conference-centre-architecture_dezeen_1704_col_1-852x852.jpg)
According to MAD, the building takes its form from the surrounding mountains, rising in a shallow dome-like form to a height of 24 metres.
"While humble in its presence, it does not lose the dynamic atmosphere of northern China – integrated with the sky, the ground, the snow, the forest, and the mountains," said the Beijing-based practice, which is led by architect Ma Yansong.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2018/07/mad-china-entrepreneur-forum-conference-centre-architecture_dezeen_1704_col_2-852x1059.jpg)
The building's conference facilities will be divided on either side of a central entrance hall that is topped with a large skylight.
This entrance hall will be entered at ground floor level from a public space at the front of the building and on the first floor from a secondary public square.
"The focal point is a skylight positioned at the centre of the roof that allows natural light to flood into the interior," said MAD. "It acts as a symbolic metaphor for the bright ideas and brilliant discussions generated during the events held within."
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2018/07/mad-china-entrepreneur-forum-conference-centre-architecture_dezeen_1704_col_3-852x876.jpg)
Construction of the conference centre began earlier this year, with completion scheduled for 2020.
Earlier this year, MAD broke ground on a museum for George Lucas in Los Angeles, while its Gardenhouse residential complex in Beverly Hills, which is designed to look like a village on top of a hill, is nearing completion.
Project credits:
Architect: MAD
Principal partners in charge: Ma Yansong, Dang Qun, Yosuke Hayano
Associate partners in charge: Liu Huiying
Design team: Li Guangchong, Sun Shouquan, Fu Xiaoyi, Xiao Ying, Song Chi, Deng Wei, Zhang Xiaomei, Zhao Meng, Huai Wei, Che-Hung Chien, Cao Chen, Zhang Yanru, Wang Shuobin, Yuki Ishigami, Lin Yuyang
Client: China Entrepreneur Forum
Executive architect: China Architecture Design & Research Group
Facade consultant: Shanghai Kighton Facade Consultants Co
Landscape architect: BJF International Design