herzog & de meuron-designed M+ museum tops out in hong kong

M+, hong kong’s new museum of visual culture, has topped out ahead of its planned opening in 2020. designed by herzog & de meuron, the building was first revealed in 2013 after the swiss architecture firm won an international competition to complete the project. the museum will form the centerpiece of the west kowloon cultural district, an ambitious new quarter that comprises a host of theaters, performance spaces, and museums.

the museum comprises two perpendicular volumes
image © herzog & de meuron, courtesy of west kowloon cultural district

as part of the west kowloon cultural district, M+ will be a museum for visual culture across a gross floor area of 65,000 square metres. exhibits will focus on 20th and 21st century design and architecture, moving image, and visual art from hong kong, asia, and beyond. the building has been designed by herzog & de meuron in partnership with hong kong-based TFP farrells and ove arup & partners hong kong.

the building shown in the context of hong kong’s skyscrapers
image © herzog & de meuron, courtesy of west kowloon cultural district

accessible through multiple entry points, the museum’s horizontal form contains: 17,000 square meters of exhibition space, cinemas, a lecture theater, a learning center, a museum shop, performance spaces, cafes, a médiathèque, and a public roof terrace that looks out to victoria harbour and the hong kong skyline. meanwhile, the vertical museum tower houses the library, archive, study center, members’ facilities, museum offices, and restaurants, and features an LED façade for the display of moving image works by artists.

the structure is located adjacent to the harbor
image © herzog & de meuron, courtesy of west kowloon cultural district

‘the topping out of the M+ building is an important step towards the full realization of west kowloon, coming right before the opening of the xiqu centre early next year,’ said duncan pescod, chief executive officer of west kowloon cultural district authority. ‘we are extremely pleased to see herzog & de meuron’s design taking shape as a landmark along the harborfront, set against the backdrop of skyscrapers. we look forward to the delivery of the museum, for audiences in hong kong to enjoy and appreciate.’

the interior is accessible through multiple entry points
image © herzog & de meuron, courtesy of west kowloon cultural district

‘as we mark this major achievement and move steadily towards the delivery of the museum’s permanent home, we continue our work to ensure the visibility of M+, in hong kong and around the world,’ says suhanya raffel, executive director of M+. ‘over the past few years, we have been working conscientiously to deliver this world-class museum, and plans for the inaugural exhibitions to be held in this building are advancing steadily. this planning is essential to introducing the M+ collections to the public. we very much look forward to moving into M+’s new home, and to opening the doors of the museum in 2020.’

the museum has a gross floor area of 65,000 square meters
image © herzog & de meuron, courtesy of west kowloon cultural district