Shanghai Museum East Competition

Shanghai, China
Competition 2016

About this project

Shortlisted in a major international design competition for a Pudong branch of the Shanghai Museum, our concept humanised the typically overwhelming, large singular museum typology into a series of smaller ‘pavilions’, joined by a central landscaped covered courtyard. This provides respite and recovery from the fatigue of concentrated engagement with museum artefacts and exhibitions. The design provides a refreshing, simple and clear alternative to the grandiose nature of many recent museums.

Six pavilions hold the museum display and exhibition spaces. Clad in black, polished granite they provide a sense of protection to the precious artefacts within. Research and storage collection is contained within the same pavilions, giving ease of access to display areas, while working spaces open into courtyards for daylight and green amenity.

Two pavilions are raised to form the museum entrances and are clad in white, translucent glass, forming a lightweight counterpoint to the solidity of the exhibition pavilions. The white pavilions also contain library, restaurant and administration spaces.