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Images by Ennead Architects
This unique project communicates ecological architecture in form of natural erosion of spirit stones. Designed and unveiled by one of the New York’s architectural studios, Ennead Architects. The museum which is set to be built in the city of Wuxi, China, was named after its location Wuxi Art Museum. The building structures will come with perforated surfaces and eroded hollows to honor the Taihu Stone, some kind of limestone that’s mostly used in traditional gardens in the region according to Dezeen website, written by Christina Yao.
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Both the perforated facade and large voids mimic erosion’s impact on the porous Taihu Stone.
The punctuated limestone facade and translucent glass curtain wall will influence the interior of the museum by giving rooms to natural daylight while creating a contrasted finish between roughness and smooth. A civic plaza that will host art will be built alongside the museum, the plaza, different gardens and courtyards will give visitors flexible space to enjoy art projections, movie screenings and performances. The architectural firm behind the exclusive project Ennead Architects in collaboration with West 8 Landscape Architects, designed the surrounding landscape based on the local wetland ecology and canal system.
According to Thomas J Wong, the practicing partner of Ennead Architects, as quoted by Dezeen website, “Our vision for the Wuxi Art Museum is to set it in a larger overall composition, highlighting views in and out of the museum through subtractive carves and recesses while emulating the natural erosion of spirit stones.”
The inclusive footbridges that connects the galleries on the upper levels inside the museum will create viewpoints of a central courtyard with a lily-filled waterscape below.
According to Brian H. Masuda the practicing principal of Ennead Architects, as quoted by Dezeen website, “The new art museum will serve as a symbol of Wuxi’s past, present and future, so it was important to us that its design emerge from the cultural history of the garden city and artfully synthesizes art, landscape, and the museum experience into an inextricable whole.”
Edited by M.J. for Buildace Magazine
