vector architects finishes the suzhou cultural heritage museum in china

vector architects has shared its latest project in china: the suzhou intangible cultural heritage museum located on a grassy site wrapped on three sides by a flowing river. the museum is located eastwards from the suzhou horticultural exposition park and its design is a culmination of the natural surroundings and traditional culture of the city.

all images © chen hao (unless stated)

challenged with the expansive site, vector architects applied a strategy in which the different volumes housing the programs are connected through courtyards and outdoor corridors. this enlivens the spatial experience of the traditional building type, while encouraging visitors to be immersed in the peaceful landscape. the main spaces are distinguished by their varying identities through material use. for example, the dome theater is wrapped in laminated bamboo louvers and vegetation. further programs include a cloud installation placed on the roof-top platform of the museum lobby. visitors can climb up to the observation tower to overlook the surrounding view or eat at the restaurant placed on the water-front.

green roofs have been added to majority of the buildings to bring warmth and greenery to the material palette of intersecting concrete planes, stucco, and slate. this also meets program requirements and reduces the negative impact on the natural environment. the museum itself offers visitors an inviting and interactive experience. three atria are naturally ventilated and lit, with the circulation directing visitors to the roof exhibition platform. on the roof, the public park is planted with various types of vegetation and can be used for performances and dining events, as well as educational and interactive experiences.

image © eiichi kano

1/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

project info:

location: suzhou, china
client: suzhou taihu horticultural expo industrial development co., ltd.
design firm: vector architects
principal architect: gong dong
project architect: chen liu
site architect: yang zhou
design team: yi-chi wang, dongping sun, dan zhao, bai li, rae-hsuan hou, pin-chen yeh, yilun wang, kai zhang
ldi: suzhou institute of architectural design co.,ltd.
ldi project architects: cai shuang
ldi architects: wang yin, zhang xiaofeng, wang wei
structural engineering: ye yongyi, bian kejian, tan qian
mep engineering: zhang guangren, chen kaixuan, wang haigang, ji jian, zhu hehu, li yang
structure: concrete
materials: exposed concrete, white stucco, laminated bamboo slate, glass curtain wall
building area: 14,000 sqm   
design period: 10/2014- 02/2015
construction period: 02/2015- 04/2016
photography: chen hao, eiichi kano

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save