The new Beijing Capital Museum, which is designed to serve as one of the flagship buildings in the Chinese capital, features a gallery that looks almost accidental. The "Treasure Gallery", as architecture firm AREP calls it, is situated within the main, north-facing facade, and it looks as though the massive bronze volume has been embedded within the building itself, like a calcified relic from an earlier era.
As a whole, the Beijing Capital Museum measures 60,000 square meters, making it an imposing presence in the center of the city. That said, the Treasure Gallery takes up 7,000 square meters inside, and standing more than 10 storeys tall, the bronze cylinder is hugely breathtaking from both inside and out.
Pierced Museum Buildings
The Beijing Capital Museum Surrounds a Massive Bronze Column
Trend Themes
1. Imposing Museum Architecture - Architects are exploring ways to integrate massive sculptures and volumes into museum buildings to create an impressive and unique aesthetic.
2. Hidden Museum Spaces - Museum designers are looking for ways to incorporate hidden exhibition spaces within the facades of buildings to create an exciting and unexpected experience.
3. Sculptural Museums - Architectural firms are creating buildings that serve as both museums and works of art in their own right by using statement sculptures as focal points.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture - Architects can explore ways to incorporate massive bronze volumes or other artistic sculptures into their building designs to create impressive, unforgettable experiences for visitors.
2. Museums - Museum designers can look into ways to create hidden and unexpected galleries and exhibition spaces within the facades of their buildings to surprise and delight visitors.
3. Metalwork - Metalworkers could be called upon to create impressive metal sculptures and volumes that will be incorporated into museum designs and function as both art pieces and architectural focal points.