Japan's Junya.ishigami+associates recently realised an extraordinary 1-kilometre-long construction project in China. The building, named Zaishui Art Museum, is located in an artificial lake and even allows water to pass through at several points.
Concrete and glass
Zaishui Art Museum was built as part of a development project in Rizhao, Shandong province, and covers most of the length of the artificial lake. The slightly curved building consists mainly of steel-reinforced concrete and glass. In some areas, this glass can be opened in suitable weather to let in a breeze, while in others, the lower parts of the glass panels, below the water line, have openings to let water flow in.
The interior of the art museum also serves as an exhibition space and shopping mall. It currently houses a chocolate exhibition and some related artworks, but it is designed so that its contents can be easily changed in the future. There is also a visitor centre nearby with a green roof and several paths providing access to the surrounding landscape.
Natural environment
In the new natural environment, visitors experience a landscape where the scene inside merges with that outside. Walking around inside, you will find spacious areas for exhibits in some places and in others, the ground narrows and is surrounded by a large expanse of water.
The top of the building is undulating. In some places, the ceiling is high, letting in abundant light and revealing the surrounding landscape. In other places, the flat ceiling is lower, reflecting water and light.
China has many amazing museums and the Zaishui Art Museum joins notable examples such as the Shanghai Astronomy Museum, the Chengdu Science Fiction Museum and the Hainan Science and Technology Museum.
