Xixi Wetland Art Museum
Studio Pei-Zhu

June 29, 2009 /

Hangzhou, China

Image courtesy Studio Pei-Zhu

Located in a rural nature preserve near Hangzhou, the Xixi Wetland Art Museum will be a destination for both nature and art.

The five buildings are scattered like five leaves, with some overlapping and linking to other leaves. One leaf remains separate, yet still communicates, in a visual language, with the linked leaves.

The buildings remain low to the ground expanding upward and outward toward the sky. This is similar to a folded leaf on the ground gesturing towards the trees above.

Image courtesy Studio Pei-Zhu

Image courtesy Studio Pei-Zhu

As no two leaves are identical each building also has a unique form. The four linked leaves contain functions for business, recreation, hotel, restaurant, and reception, the singular leaf is the art museum. The free flowing organic forms create interior spaces with maximum flexibility.

The design concept stems from the interaction between building and nature. As leaves fall from the trees they arrive naturally on the ground, creating a shelter against the earth.
/Studio Pei-Zhu

Image courtesy Studio Pei-Zhu

Light is brought into the building through windows and skylights, creating a quality of light that is reminiscent of soft, filtered sunlight shining through the forest canopy.

Image courtesy Studio Pei-Zhu

Image courtesy Studio Pei-Zhu

The building is covered by reflective zinc panels, with a brushed finish, that create a diffused and soft reflection as the building interact with people and nature. Colors, light, and details, are not recognizable as individual objects, but are distinguished as a uniform and natural image.

Image courtesy Studio Pei-Zhu

As people experience the project, the buildings and nature blend together into a serene cohesive experience.

Drawing courtesy Studio Pei-ZhuPlan Level One

Drawing courtesy Studio Pei-ZhuPlan Level Two

Drawing courtesy Studio Pei-ZhuSection

Drawing courtesy Studio Pei-ZhuSection