tadao ando's new art museum nears completion in southern china

tadao ando architect & associates has revealed the latest construction images from the soon to be completed ‘he art museum‘ (HEM) in shunde, china. the new building, which will host a range of exhibits that celebrate the region’s lingnan culture, was set to open on march 21st, 2020. however, the inauguration has now been postponed indefinitely in response to the nationwide coronavirus epidemic.

HEM construction site, image © HEM (main image © HEM)

the new museum takes its name from its founder, he jianfeng. however, the name ‘he’ also carries multiple meanings, including harmony, balance, fortune and union, all of which informed the design and spatial character of the architecture. when developing HEM, ando undertook extensive research of china’s ancient history and the lingnan culture, and fused these elements together with the architect’s signature use of light.

partial view of HEM

tadao ando explains: ‘I want to create a museum that can synthesize southern china’s rich diverse cultures that stretches many millennia and the influences that birthed lingnan architecture. I imagined HEM as an energetic central anchor point to all the artistic and regional custom, climate, landscape and civilisation in lingnan. I hope HEM can become the heart of lingnan culture, not just in shunde but the whole greater china. I look forward to seeing the artworks and programs activate the building, stimulating provoking thoughts with high quality spaces and art.’

partial view of HEM, image © HEM

HEM is characterized by a ‘double-helix’ pair of staircases in the center of the building, which climb to the fourth floor and are bathed in natural light from the above skywell. this main feature is inspired by the local architecture of lingnan, which also makes use of rooflights, and ancient chinese cosmology and philosophy that believed the sky was round and divine. the light from above permeates deep into the plan and exhibition areas, resulting in comfortable spaces that connect to the outside world.

HEM construction site, image © HEM

the program of HEM provides space for galleries, an education space, an open plan bookstore and a café. with this variety of functions, the building will become a place not only for art, but also a place for quiet study or socializing with friends. each level of the scheme adopts a circular floor plan, apart from the square gallery on the ground floor. outside, a pond wraps around the structure, reflecting lingnan’s heritage of waterside pavilions and as a symbol that subtly gestures its geographic location on the pearl river estuary.

HEM construction site

upon its inauguration on march 21st, HEM will open its doors with an exhibition curated by feng boyi, in addition to other temporary showcases. titled, ‘from the mundane world’, the work examines the ecology between humans and their environment, patterns of civilisation and mass consumption, and reflects on the fast-paced urban transformation that china and its people are experiencing.

HEM construction site