The Tang Dynasty poet Wang Wei once remarked in Renjian Cihua: “In the past, critics distinguished between imagery and sentiment in poetry, not realizing that every image is imbued with feeling.” This insight reveals that traditional Chinese architectural landscapes were not merely functional living spaces, but also reflections of local culture and customs. In response to today’s ever-evolving urban fabric, HAS Design and Research continues to explore a new kind of organic architecture emerging from the city itself—one that emphasizes the bond between people and the land. Stepping into their creation, the “Simple Art Museum,” visitors can appreciate every meticulous detail from the exterior inward, witnessing the design team’s innovative cultural vision.
Set against the bustling backdrop of Hefei—with its high-tech factories and towering office buildings—this contemporary art museum, defined by its pristine white base and minimalistic lines, stands as a distinctive yet purposeful sanctuary, seemingly set apart from the bustling city. It delves into the relationship between art, social consciousness, and the environment through a human-centric approach, serving as a bridge between the past and the present. The museum not only incorporates the distinctive features of Anhui’s Huizhou-style architecture, evoking the memories of ancient Huizhou, but also infuses a modern architectural language that reinterprets the role of the museum in the city.
From the facade, one can observe the pristine white walls forming a flowing, terrace-like staircase design. Moving indoors, the undulating roof extends across various zones, creating layers of subtle tonal variations on an otherwise uniform background. Embracing the essence of Huizhou-style architecture, the design transforms the traditional “horse-head wall”—originally a fireproof barrier on the exterior roof—into a symbolic structure that welcomes visitors. Its continuous form creates a seamless indoor environment that accommodates exhibition spaces, galleries, and more. The sinuous wall and its wave-like surface, punctuated by narrow openings that invite streams of natural light, mirror the rhythmic flow of a river, echoing the rippling waters of Hefei’s Nanfei River, its mother river, and reminding visitors of this artery of life that has nurtured the land for millennia. This thoughtful design allows the exhibition space itself to become a part of the story of human spirit, elegantly merging tradition and modernity.
Principal Designers | Jenchieh Hung, Kulthida Songkittipakdee
Character of Space | Art Museum
Gross Floor Area | 1,150 ㎡
Location | Hefei, China
