Zhang Zhidong and Modern Industrial Museum
Located in the steelmaking capital of eastern China, The Zhang Zhidong and Modern Industrial Museum was designed to balance three narrative themes within an integrated building and landscape.
Courtesy of Studio Daniel Libeskind
The three themes, each of which has a dedicated floor, are the life of Zhang Zhidong, a 19th-century leader in government who inspired the movement towards modernization that established the steel industry in Wuhan; the steel industry; and the history of the city of Wuhan. At the turn of the 20th century, all the railroads in China converged in Wuhan, connecting the city to all the provinces, and in 1911, the Xinhai Revolution crystallized the move toward modernization jumpstarted by Zhang Zhidong and carried forward by modern industry.
Courtesy of Studio Daniel Libeskind
Studio Libeskind conceived the museum as a steel-clad, curved arc sweeping upward in space. The arc is suspended by two steel and glass footings, which provide space for entrance lobby, main stairs, museum store and administration. From the top, the visitor has a view of Wuhan; from each floor, a view of a garden designed for radiating lines and rings, connecting past and future. The museum floor plans and the garden reflect the spherical geometry of the building’s primary form.
Courtesy of Studio Daniel Libeskind
Project Info
Architects: Studio Libeskind
Location: Wuhan, China
Size: 7,240 sq.m
Architect Of Record: Zhong Nan Design Institute
Structural Engineers: Zhong Nan Design Institute
Civil Engineer: Zhong Nan Design Institute
Contractor: G.C Wisco Construction
Year: 2016
Type: Museum
Hadeer Shahin is the Built Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she curates innovative architectural works from around the globe. With a background in architecture from Alexandria University and hands-on experience in design and digital content, she bridges the gap between technical precision and editorial vision. Hadeer’s keen eye for spatial storytelling and her passion for contemporary design trends make her a vital contributor to Arch2O’s mission of highlighting excellence in the built environment.