The concept of the Xingfu Village Pan-Museum in China was created in a consortium with the Chinese bureau DA! as part of an international competition. The project took the first place out of 377 teams that submitted 131 applications for consideration.
The museum is located in Sichuan province near the historic village of Xingfu, founded more than a thousand years ago and recognized as one of the most beautiful and tourist-friendly places in China. The village and nature around with rare tree species have survived to this day almost in its original form. Working with the Chinese bureau has allowed us to bring to the project the authenticity of Chinese culture and a deep understanding of values of the country and its nation.
The museum is a cultural center, which in addition to the exhibits presents a restaurant of local cuisine and space for communication of local residents. The center will be located on five levels-terraces with a man-made waterfall, the water for which will be collected from the local river and reflect the sky with its depth and freedom. So, the architecture harmoniously suits the landscape, decorating it with a new object that could have appeared here without the help of a human – a waterfall.
Each of the five levels has its own function: history, involvement, diversity, creation, meditation. The terraces offer spectacular views of the green valley. Nature will become a full participant in the expositions at each of the levels of the museum – we are blurring the boundaries between the surrounding landscape and the interior of the museum. The design involves local materials – red sandstone, bamboo, stones, clay, and wood.
The project is designed in accordance with the principles of sustainable development, and involves minimal interference in the existing landscape and development of the valley as a tourist space. Further work on the project envisages the participation of local residents.
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