# Alienesque Cube Architecture The Guangdong Museum is Inspired by Ancient Chinese Artifacts By Meghan Young | Published 2011-04-18 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/guangdong-museum References: [archdaily](http://www.archdaily.com/127122/guangdong-museum-rocco-design-architects/) & [rocco.hk](http://www.rocco.hk/) The Guangdong Museum looks like a landed [alien ship](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seoul-robot-ai). Completely futuristic in its design, the cut-out surface looks like extraterrestrial symbols. The whole aesthetic is supposed to make the Guangdong Museum one of four new [cultural landmarks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/al-ain-museum) in Guangzhou, China; accordingly, its designers have spared no expense in creating something truly captivating to behold. This five-story Guangdong Museum was designed by [Rocco Design Architects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-mirror-finish) and won an international invited competition back in May 2004. Now that it's finally completed, it is considered an objet d’art at a monumental scale. It's inspired by intricately sculpted antique Chinese artifacts such as lacquer boxes, ivory balls and jade bowls. The Guangdong Museum uses materials like aluminium panels, fritted glass and GRC panels. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.3/10 - Popularity: 67% | Activity: 53% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Futuristic Architecture:** Using innovative designs to create visually captivating buildings and landmarks. - **Intricate Sculptural Inspiration:** Drawing from ancient artifacts to develop intricate design elements in modern buildings. - **Unconventional Material Use:** Utilizing unique and unconventional materials to create innovative architectural designs. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Architecture:** Opportunity to provide clients with unique futuristic designs that incorporate unconventional materials and take inspiration from ancient artifacts. - **Tourism:** The development of visually captivating landmarks and buildings can attract tourists and become a cultural point of interest. - **Art and Design:** An opportunity for artists and designers to utilize inspiration from ancient artifacts and unconventional materials to create innovative art pieces and installations. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Dynamic Installation Science Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hainan-science-museum.md) - [Infinity Loop-Shaped Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yohoo-museum.md) - [Galactic-Themed Sci-Fi Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/star-cloud.md) - [Futuristic Cultural Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-lucas-museum-of-narrative-arts.md) - [Art Museum Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xiao-feng-art-museum.md) - [Color-Shifting Art Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-quartet-songzhuang-z-museum.md) - [Swooped Museum Roof Planes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/suzhou-museum-of-contemporary-art.md) - [Curved Green Roof-Topped Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sunner-museum.md) - [Beautifully Sculptural Concrete Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lusail-museum.md)