jingu phoenix completes a contemporary museum to showcase fish maws collection in china

jingu phoenix space planning organization recently completed a private museum dedicated entirely to dried fish maws, known as swim bladders, the gas-filled organ inside fish that keeps them afloat. the project is located in shoutou city, china, and was made exclusively for a client’s decades-worth collection of fish maws. he entrusted jingu phoenix space planning organization to create a modern space to display his collection, taking into consideration the culture and value of his tiny collectibles. 

the designers deconstructed the spaces and differentiated them through different architectural languages, tying the project together with a soft, gray hue. the main color, muted in tone, highlights the gold aged fish maws that carry the memories of time. in addition, the designers used old oak timber and gave it sawtooth grain to create stunning, texturized surfaces. the aged texture and color of oak wood coincide with those of fish maws, which generates dialogue between the materials and the collection. 

an arched door opening guides visitors into the space, to start the journey of exploring fish maw culture. opposite to the entrance is a fish-shaped iron art installation, which was handmade by artists and hung in the air, seeming introducing the history of fish maws. in the double-height space, the original concrete beam became exposed and penetrated by a thinner wooden beam that is embellished with bulbs, enhancing the structural aesthetic and functionality as well.

the first and second floors are connected by a minimal, wooden staircase, stunning in its detailing. it is formed by oak wood featuring a sawtooth grain, keeping it visually dynamic. there is a reception hall on the first floor, where all the furniture is made of oak wood, to ensure an austere texture within the space. at the other side of the first floor, a large glass door opens up the space to showcase the client’s collected fish maws, where an abstract painting themed on human and fish attracts visitors to immerse themselves in the display space. 

the designers applied various straight and oblique structural shapes, to create the overall visiting circulation. the concave form of exhibits and the museum-like display, as well as rigorous lighting design, all help to accentuate the shape and texture of each piece of fish maw. as natural light filters into the space, the interior surfaces finished with white paint produce an interplay of light and shadows. the display and reception areas provide space for people to socialize and ___. the furniture combinations, as well as the bubble-like lamps that reference water, create balance and artistic conception in the space, rendering it artistic yet comfortable.

project info: 

project name: a private fish maw museum 

design firm: jingu phoenix space planning organization 

location: gulf city, shantou, guangdong, china 

area: about 800 m2 

completion time: november 28, 2019 

chief designer: ye hui 

design team: chen jian, lin weibin, chen xuexian decoration team: feng qi wu tong 

construction firm: wan you yin li 

photos: yinxiang arch photography 

client: mr. zhuang 

main materials: granite, oak wood, gray steel with fluorocarbon coating, white paint (danilo), cement-effect paint (danilo)

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: cristina gomez | designboom