The goal of this project is to design a musum for vistors to enjoy the exhibitions about Chinese character history. It is located in a historic district and should not disrupt the environment.
Enjoy the exhibitions about Chinese character history and the space.
Respect the environment in the historic district.
This is a student design project.
Work with another architectural designer.
Hangzhou government decided build a Chinese Character Museum in Xixi wetland national Park and provide visitors a space to enjoy relevant exhibitions. Architecture in this area are traditional Hui style. This museum is required to keep the continuity of historical architectural culture.
We analyzed the site to understand the architectural style arroundings. We analyzed the Chinese character history to understand the exhibition them and tried to get insights.
Buildings surrounding are traditional Hui Style Architecture. They mostly have grey tiles, pitched roof and white walls with square windows. This kind of vernacular dwelling is a collection of multi-courtyard-style buildings.
Tracing back to ancient times of China, the first script is to keep records via tying knots. Afterwards, six main "Chinese seven fonts" were invented.
"People tied knots to keep records in the ancient times, and then wise men invent writing to substitute that."
- Book of Change (one of the Five Classics of China)
Based on previous research, after brainstorming, we decided to create a museum which can hint the origin of Chinese character, keep the consistency of surrounding architectural style and satisfy the requirement of exhibition.
Following the form of architecture, independent exhibition flow and character history flow are twisted together. People walking in different flows can have spatial interaction.
The form of the museum imitates diamond knot and the end of the "thread" connects to the site. In the interior space, following the two threads which make the knot, there will be two kinds of pedestrian flows, which follow the two kinds of exhibitions.
The spatial design considers the traditional Hui architecture style. With the balcony, people can interact with each other and see the Xixi national park scenery. The roof is consistent with surrounding architecture and acts in cooperation with mountains. The stairs are put in courtyard, blurring the boundary between indoor and outdoor space.
Design is iterative process. We made 3D model and rendered images as well as made paper and rough prototypes. We got feedback and revised our design.
The museum stands in historical district and keeps the continuity of the architectural style. Users can enjoy Chinese traditional spatial experience whie enjoying the exhibitions.
