The Chinese city of Suzhou has completed construction of the Museum of Contemporary Art, featuring curved metal roofs that were conceived by the architects as a “fifth facade.” Situated on the shores of Jinji Lake next to the Ferris wheel, the museum, designed by Danish studio BIG, engineering company Arts Group and architecture bureau Front, is a series of multi-level pavilions whose design is based on the unity of nature and art.
"The gentle curve of the roofs creates a graceful silhouette," says BIG founder Bjarke Ingels. "The logic of the building only becomes clear when viewed from above, for example from a Ferris wheel. The stainless steel roof tiles form a fifth façade for the museum."
In an effort to unite art and nature, the architects designed the museum as a series of pavilions where indoor and outdoor spaces flow seamlessly. Curved roofs shelter art-filled walkways that wind through the gardens. BIG says the design is inspired by the layout of traditional Suzhou gardens.
The museum's facades will feature fluted glass with warm stainless steel accents that reflect the outdoor gardens. "Our design for the Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art is conceived as a Chinese garden with pavilions and courtyards," says Ingels. "The individual pavilions are connected by glazed galleries and porticos, creating a network of interconnected sculptural courtyards and exhibition spaces."
The Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art, scheduled for completion in 2025, will have four main galleries. A multifunctional hall, theater, and restaurant will be located in other pavilions. Stone-clad bridges and tunnels will connect the multi-level buildings at different levels, providing visitors with comfortable routes both inside and out.
Comments