Architecture studio Snøhetta has revealed its design for Beijing Art Museum in China, which will feature a series of rectangular volumes radiating around a circular atrium.
Designed by Snøhetta in collaboration with Beijing Institute of Architectural Design (BIAD), the project broke ground on 31 December above a metro line in Beijing‘s Tongzhou district.
The museum is being developed by Snøhetta with Beijing Institute of Architectural Design
Set to contain a range of artworks, the museum is hoped to become a cultural hub for the local community and boost building development in the area.
Rectangular volumes with glazed end facades will radiate out from a central atrium, which will feature a curved staircase connecting the galleries.
Gallery spaces will be organised around a circular atrium
“Its sculptural massing radiates outwards from a central core, while lens-like, rippled facades dissolve boundaries between building and landscape, establishing a dynamic public realm that engages the local community,” said Snøhetta.
“At the heart of the museum lies a kaleidoscopic atrium that acts as a gravitational pull, drawing various program elements inward,” it continued.
“Galleries, storage, and support functions spiral around the atrium, extending into petal-like volumes that offer panoramic views of the surrounding context, juxtaposing the experience of looking out with a sense of being seen.”
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While providing access to galleries, the atrium will also incorporate what Snøhetta described as “semi-open pockets” for use as exhibition areas and meeting spots.
The radial design of the building will be continued in the landscape design, which will include water features and sculptures.
“It is not merely an adjunct but a spatial continuum, where architecture, landscape, and interior coalesce into a unified cultural tapestry,” said Snøhetta.
The museum is intended to become a place for the local community to gather
Once complete, the Beijing Art Museum will be the second major cultural building by Snøhetta in Beijing, following the opening of the Beijing City Library in 2023.
Other recent projects by the studio include a creative hub in Bangkok with an elevated public park and a headquarters building for automotive company Ford in Michigan.
The images are by Proloog.