Dune Art Museum X OPEN Architecture X Chinese Architecture

 China’s captivating and ancient architecture fascinates many for the strong yet elegant designs, distinctiveness, history and Feng Shui influence. Three major representatives of ancient Chinese architecture can be categorized in: Imperial Palaces, Residential housing and Chinese Gardens. All which are unique, nevertheless all express an impressive sense of detail, whether it may be in design or even the architectural purpose contributing to making housing stay cooler during the summer and warmer in winter.

After the establishment of People’s Republic of China in 1949, Chinese architecture slowly started to evolve in a new direction bringing together the history, culture of ancient Chinese architecture with a blend of western influences. Especially after China opened up to the world in the 1980’s new architectural styles began to develop, however still with a focus of maintaining the heritage of Chinese architecture.

In recent years and affected by globalization architecture evolved into a fusion consisting of various cultures. Skyscrapers and industrial buildings are being built with an impressive haste.

 

One of China’s most prominent architectural institutions OPEN Architecture, are currently underway with the construction of an art museum near Beijing, in the coastal area of Qinhuangdao, Bohai bay.

 

Titled “Dialogue by the sea” the projects consists of two corresponding art spaces; a cave inspired art space build into the areas sand dunes and a solitary rock pillar that rises out of the ocean. Inspired by the primal form of human settlements and man’s earliest artistic creations.

 

The intricate concrete hubs, which will be covered in sand and vegetation to restore the natural environment of the sand dunes of the bay area. Dune Art Museum will consist of a gallery, café, bookstore, and studio all within the concrete sand dune caves. 

Dune Art Museum is first instalment of “Dialogue by the sea”, second instalment will be an Sea Art Museum, which will be constructed out at sea. A narrow path only accessible at low tide will connect the two museums.

 

Whilst OPEN Architecture Dune Art Museum project is unique, it is just one of many emerging and remarkable architectural design springing out of china in recent years.