Feb. 25. 2025
Reviewed by David Vi Boi Huynh, BOI ARCHI DESIGN
1.1 Form of the Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art
The Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art is conceived as a "village" of 12 interconnected pavilions, each featuring sloping roof eaves and rippled facades. These pavilions are woven together by glazed galleries and porticoes, creating a network of interconnected sculpture courtyards and exhibition spaces. The design reinterprets traditional Suzhou garden elements, integrating art, nature, and water into a cohesive experience.
1.2 Form of Jinji Lake Pavilion
The Jinji Lake Pavilion, a 1,200-square-meter structure, draws from traditional Chinese courtyard typology. It features a pixelated glass roof that drapes toward the ground like a canopy of leaves, casting dappled shadows and framing views of the lake. The pavilion consists of four interconnected volumes arranged around a central courtyard, each housing distinct programs such as a café, boutique, restaurant, and visitor center.
2. How These Forms Were Achieved
For the Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art, BIG designed a ribbon-like roof that extends into a pattern of eaves, doubling as sheltered walkways throughout the site. This design element ties the pavilions together, creating a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces. The architecture entwines through the landscape, connecting water to land, city to nature, and people to history.
In the Jinji Lake Pavilion, the pixelated glass roof is composed of glass tiles that reinterpret traditional glazed ceramic tiles. The lifted edges of the roof create generous double-height entrances, inviting visitors into the central courtyard. Transparent glass facades establish a connection with the surrounding landscape, while polished steel surfaces reflect light and greenery. A two-layered perforated shading system filters light throughout the day, casting shifting patterns across the pavilion's interior surfaces.
3. Public Reception of the Form
Both designs prioritize public engagement and accessibility. The Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art offers expansive plazas and interconnected gardens, ensuring a rich public realm surrounding the museum. Sculptures by contemporary artists provide cultural experiences for visitors, even outside the museum's operating hours.
The Jinji Lake Pavilion serves as a tranquil space for the community, nestled under grand camphor trees along the lake. Its design fosters a connection between indoor and outdoor environments, creating a harmonious blend of architecture and nature.
4. Longevity and Future Impact of the Form
Integrating traditional architectural elements with contemporary design, both projects pay homage to Suzhou's cultural heritage while addressing modern needs. This fusion ensures that the structures remain relevant and cherished by the community. The thoughtful incorporation of public spaces and natural elements suggests that these forms will continue to serve as vibrant cultural hubs, fostering community engagement and appreciation for years to come.
5. Conclusion
Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) has masterfully reinterpreted Suzhou’s architectural heritage in a contemporary language through the Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art and the Jinji Lake Pavilion. These projects are more than just buildings—they are spatial experiences that blend art, nature, and community into a cohesive urban fabric.
Both designs embrace traditional Suzhou elements, such as sloping rooflines, courtyards, and water integration, while redefining them through modern materials and innovative construction techniques. The Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art, with its interconnected pavilions and undulating roofscape, creates a cultural village that fosters exploration, dialogue, and artistic engagement. Meanwhile, the Jinji Lake Pavilion enhances the lakeside landscape with its delicate glass-tiled roof, fostering a serene interaction between architecture and nature.
From a public perspective, these designs are welcoming, engaging, and accessible, ensuring that they remain vibrant spaces for both locals and visitors. Their emphasis on sustainability, openness, and connectivity makes them adaptable to future needs, ensuring their longevity as cultural and architectural landmarks in Suzhou.
BIG’s work in Suzhou demonstrates how contemporary architecture can honor tradition while pushing the boundaries of innovation, creating spaces that are not only visually striking but also deeply rooted in their cultural and natural context. These projects will undoubtedly continue giving form to the city’s artistic and social landscape for generations to come.
