Spaceship Looking Museum In Shenzhen Is A Futuristic & Energy-Efficient Marvel By Zaha Hadid Architects

Zaha Hadid Architects remains anything but dull, even after the founder’s passing. The Shenzhen Science & Technology Museum is a prime example, featuring a distinctive futuristic design focused on energy efficiency. First unveiled in 2020, the museum is located in Shenzhen’s Guangming District. This project highlights the studio’s ongoing commitment to innovation and bold architectural statements, ensuring their work continues to capture attention and set new standards in sustainable design.

Designer: Zaha Hadid Architects

The design team employed advanced computer modeling and extensive wind tunnel testing to optimize the building’s performance, ensuring it maintains a stable temperature even during the peak of summer. The resulting structure evokes the sleek contours of a cruise ship or even a spaceship, standing out with its futuristic aesthetic. Zaha Hadid Architects describe the museum as resembling celestial bodies orbiting in space, emphasizing both its innovative form and its dynamic presence in the cityscape.

“Guided by passive environmental strategies, the design process employed advanced computer simulations to test and refine the building’s form, spaces and envelope for optimal performance within the annual solar radiation, temperatures, humidity, prevailing winds, air quality and other variable conditions of Shenzhen’s subtropical climate and location,” said ZHA. “The building’s orientation has been determined to minimize solar heat gain within its central atrium while maintaining panoramic views of the park.”

The museum’s interior is expansive, offering 128,276 sq m (about 1.38 million sq ft) of space. This area is organized into permanent and temporary exhibition halls, immersive theaters, cinemas, research labs, an innovation center, and a variety of visitor amenities. The interior decor continues the striking, futuristic style of the exterior, creating a cohesive and engaging atmosphere throughout the building.

While the Shenzhen Science & Technology Museum isn’t strictly green, it incorporates impressive energy-efficient features to balance its large footprint. Stainless-steel exterior panels form a ventilated gap between the facade and walls, reducing heat from sunlight and weather. This system continues onto the roof, which is fitted with solar panels to generate on-site power and limit reliance on the grid. The facade also has a nano-scale oxide film for self-protection and self-cleaning.

The Shenzhen Science & Technology Museum uses many recyclable materials in its construction and features a smart water management system. Greywater recycling and rainwater collection help cut down on the building’s reliance on municipal water. This approach adds to the museum’s overall efficiency.

The project reflects Zaha Hadid Architects’ ongoing commitment to innovative design in China under Patrik Schumacher. Other recent projects in the region include the Shenzhen Institute of Financial Technology and the Zhuhai Jinwan Civic Art Centre, further showcasing the studio’s active role in shaping China’s architectural landscape.

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