The Pritzker Prize-winning architect Fumihiko Maki has revealed early designs for China's "first major design museum", a project in the Shekou district of Shenzhen commissioned by China Merchants Group (CMG) in collaboration with London's V&A Museum. The design model was unveiled yesterday at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London, where representatives of CMG and the V&A signed a collaboration agreement to deliver the museum, which is hoped to open at the end of 2016.
Maki's design for the Shekou Museum features three severely cantilevered volumes atop a deconstructed plinth; a staircase at the corner of the building also leads to the green public space on the roof.
More on the project after the break
Shenzhen was a natural choice for a new design museum in China, being home to 6,000 design companies employing more than 60,000 people. It was also awarded the status of UNESCO City of Design in 2008. "As part of our redevelopment of the Shekou district of Shenzhen we wanted to offer the local residents an internationally important museum that would help promote the development of China’s creative industries and further progress design in China," said Mr Sun Chengming, Vice-President of CMG.
China Merchants Property Development Co. Ltd, CMG's flagship development company, is leading the development of the building, while the V&A will play an advisory role to the museum as it builds up its own collection. In addition, the V&A will have a dedicated gallery within the museum to present its own exhibitions.
