Kejia Mei captures ‘The art museum under the mountain’ in china
Playfully titled ‘The art museum under the mountain’, this photo series by Kejia Mei captures the exquisite beauty of regional architecture in the suburbs of Hangzhou, China. The cluster of structures may appear as a meticulously crafted art museum, but actually is a series of greenhouses, witnessing the result of the creativity and hard work of the villagers. Inside, bayberry trees thrive, creating a lush and vibrant atmosphere.
What makes these greenhouses remarkable is how well they blend with their surroundings. The undulating form of the structure follows the curves of the mountain slopes, seamlessly merging with the natural environment. The overlapping panels that make up the exterior create a flowing texture that is visually striking and harmonious with the landscape. Mei’s photos frame the power of folk culture, creating architecture without architects.
all images by Kejia Mei
echoing the power of folk culture
The artificial blends effortlessly with nature, creating a stunning display of structures. The varying scales of the greenhouses, interspersed among neighboring roofs and lush greenery, merge into the surroundings to form a sight that seems to have emerged from the earth naturally and seamlessly.
These greenhouses are a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the local community, who created a functional and aesthetically pleasing structure using only their own skills and resources. Overall, ‘The art museum under the mountain’ is a powerful reminder of the beauty and value of regional architecture and the creativity of the communities that create them. Through this series, Mei (see more here) sought to catch the harmonious relationship between human-made structures and the natural world, marking the power of innovation and a nod to the power of folk culture to shape the built environment.
the architecture is informed by the natural environment
the complex’s undulating form mimics the curves of the mountain slopes
the cluster of structures seems to emerge out of the ground naturally and harmoniously
the photographer catches the harmonious relationship between human-made structures and the natural world
the overlapping panels create a dynamic and flowing texture
a powerful reminder of the beauty and value of local community architecture
creating architecture without architects 
