Dubbed by its creators 'The Urban Monument', the Qujiang Museum of Fine Arts extension by Neri & Hu has been completed. Partners Rosanna Hu and Lyndon Neri are behind the dramatic terracotta-coloured structure that has risen next to the Xi’an cultural landmark, bringing together museum spaces and refined retail in the Shanghai-based studio's distinctive, tactile minimalist architecture.
Qujiang Museum of Fine Arts extension by Neri & Hu
The architects drew on the idea of monolithic monument for their design. This allowed them to 'not only satisfy the museum’s newly expanded cultural and commercial functions, but to also serve as an anchor and a durable symbol of social history', they explained. The building programme is divided into four sections: a partially sunken base, the 'Sculptural Walk' circulation enclosure, an elevated podium platform, and the 'Monument', which is the culmination of the experience at the top.
The Qujiang Museum of Fine Arts extension's distinct colour comes from its cladding with eye-catching red travertine stone. Meanwhile, its dominant round shape informs the sculpting of its spaces both inside and out – for example, a circular amphitheatre sits on its roof, while a generous round skylight opening at its heart brings the sun into the corresponding ground floor patio area below. The delicate stone textures sit on top of a solid, concrete base.
The top-placed 'Monument' contains a series of publicly accessible areas – an outdoor terrace, the amphitheatre, and further dining and entertainment programmes. 'This space acts as a forum which is open to the public as a venue for various activities, while also serving as a platform for private performances and catwalks,' said the architects.
Beyond its functionality and series of new urban spaces for the Xi'an residents and the city's visitors to enjoy, the Qujiang Museum of Fine Arts extension represents a masterful balance between lightness and solidity, tactility and ethereality, circles and squares. Neri & Hu has crafted a building that adds drama as well as necessary programmes to its locale, making the most of its prominent position and its architect-and-client team's vision.
-
In the foothills of the Bavarian Alps, Chiemgauhof Lakeside Retreat elevates cabin-style charmArchitect Matteo Thun gives a masterclass in clean lines and traditional craftsmanship with this stylish German retreat in harmony with its surroundings
-
Richard Prince recontextualises archival advertisements in TexasThe artist unites his ‘Posters’ – based on ads for everything from cat pictures to nudes – at Hetzler, Marfa
-
Pierre-Yves Rochon celebrates ‘the great tradition of Italian design’ in Four Seasons Hotel Milano refreshThe sophisticated hotel’s 118 rooms and suites have been redesigned by the acclaimed designer and long-time collaborator of the brand
-
Atelier About Architecture’s ‘house within a house, and garden within a garden’House J in Beijing, by Atelier About Architecture, is an intricate remodelling complete with a hidden indoor garden and surprising sight lines
-
A nature-inspired Chinese art centre cuts a crisp figure in a Guiyang parkA new Chinese art centre by Atelier Xi in the country's Guizhou Province is designed to bring together nature, art and community
-
Zaha Hadid Architects’ spaceship-like Shenzhen Science and Technology Museum is now openLast week, ZHA announced the opening of its latest project: a museum in Shenzhen, China, dedicated to the power of technological advancements. It was only fitting, therefore, that the building design should embrace innovation
-
A Xingfa cement factory’s reimagining breathes new life into an abandoned industrial siteWe tour the Xingfa cement factory in China, where a redesign by landscape architecture firm SWA completely transforms an old industrial site into a lush park
-
Bold, geometric minimalism rules at Toteme’s new store by Herzog & de Meuron in ChinaToteme launches a bold, monochromatic new store in Beijing – the brand’s first in China – created by Swiss architecture masters Herzog & de Meuron
-
The upcoming Zaha Hadid Architects projects set to transform the horizonA peek at Zaha Hadid Architects’ future projects, which will comprise some of the most innovative and intriguing structures in the world
-
Liu Jiakun wins 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize: explore the Chinese architect's workLiu Jiakun, 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate, is celebrated for his 'deep coherence', quality and transcendent architecture
-
Zaha Hadid Architects reveals plans for a futuristic project in Shaoxing, ChinaThe cultural and arts centre looks breathtakingly modern, but takes cues from the ancient history of Shaoxing
