Mad Architects unveiled the design for a new museum of traditional Chinese wood sculpture in the city of Harbin. As the primary urban and industrial hub in northeastern China, Harbin is redefining itself as a regional center for the arts and culture.
Inspired by the unique local winter landscapes, the wood sculpture museum designed by Mad is a contrast between the elegance of nature and the speed of daily life.
Its 200 meter long body is shaped as fluid frozen in time, reflecting and exploring the relation between the building and the environment.
The museum linear organized interior is connected by a centralized entrance which both divides and simultaneously joins the space, achieving a symbiotic relationship.
The twist in the form creates a canopy and public plaza for visitors entering the museum, encouraging an engagement with nature through outdoor recreation activities and providing a reprieve from the frigid climate.
The exhibition spaces are organized around 3 atriums with skylights that are designed to capture the northern suns low solar path.
The delicate balance of light and shadow guides visitors through the exhibitions, while forming a poetic space combining art, people, and nature.
The interior is divided into two exhibition halls connected by a central entrance, allowing the differing themes of the collection to achieve symbiosis. Skylights flood daylight into the voids adjacent to the galleries, creating optimum viewing conditions and scenic moments in and around the building.
Location: Harbin, China Architect: Mad Architects Director in Charge: Ma Yansong, Dang Qun Project Leader: Daniel Gillen Design Team: Bas van Wylick, Huang Wei, Liu Weiwei, Diego Perez, Yu Kui, Jordan Kanter, Tang Liu, Shin Park, Mao Beihong, Julian Sattler, Nickolas Urano, M. Alejandra Obregon, Alejandro Gonzalez, Gus Chan3 Associate Engineers: the Architectural Design and Research Institute of Haerbin Institute of Technology Curtain Wall Cosultant: Inhabit Group Panel optimization: Gehry Technologies Steel Structure Contractor: Zhejiang Jing Gong Steel Structure Co. Ltd Area: 9,788 sqm Building Area: 18,110 sqm Status: Under Construction