Top 10 architecture projects of 2019

Unexpected shapes in the Arctic Circle, sinuous sports centers in Jordan, pedestrian bridges in Europe. Don’t miss our selection of the best architecture stories of the year.

A slithering footbridge in the new Køge Nord Station

Køge Nord Station by COBE and DISSING+WEITLING

Photo Rasmus Hjortøj

Køge Nord Station by COBE and DISSING+WEITLING

Photo Rasmus Hjortøj

Køge Nord Station by COBE and DISSING+WEITLING

Photo Rasmus Hjortøj

Køge Nord Station by COBE and DISSING+WEITLING

Photo Rasmus Hjortøj

Køge Nord Station by COBE and DISSING+WEITLING

Photo Rasmus Hjortøj

Køge Nord Station by COBE and DISSING+WEITLING

Photo Rasmus Hjortøj

Køge Nord Station by COBE and DISSING+WEITLING

Photo Rasmus Hjortøj

Køge Nord Station by COBE and DISSING+WEITLING

Photo Rasmus Hjortøj

Køge Nord Station by COBE and DISSING+WEITLING

Photo Rasmus Hjortøj

Køge Nord Station by COBE and DISSING+WEITLING

Photo Rasmus Hjortøj

Køge Nord Station by COBE and DISSING+WEITLING

Photo Rasmus Hjortøj

Køge Nord Station by COBE and DISSING+WEITLING

Photo Rasmus Hjortøj

Køge Nord Station by COBE and DISSING+WEITLING

Photo Rasmus Hjortøj

Køge Nord Station by COBE and DISSING+WEITLING

Photo Rasmus Hjortøj

Køge Nord Station by COBE and DISSING+WEITLING

Photo Rasmus Hjortøj

Køge Nord Station by COBE and DISSING+WEITLING

Photo Rasmus Hjortøj

Køge Nord Station by COBE and DISSING+WEITLING

Photo Rasmus Hjortøj

Køge Nord Station by COBE and DISSING+WEITLING

Photo Rasmus Hjortøj

Køge Nord Station by COBE and DISSING+WEITLING

Photo Rasmus Hjortøj

COBE and DISSING+WEITLING completed the traffic hub Køge Nord Station, in Denmark, a project including a 225 meters long-footbridge that offers views over the landscape. Danish Architectural studios COBE and DISSING+WEITLING completed this summer the traffic hub Køge Nord Station, in Denmark, a gateway to Copenhagen that provides a sustainable transport. The project includes a footbridge, a train station and a parking. The foot-bridge represents a landmark of 225 meters long and it’s part of the future and the development of Køge area. “A development“ says Dan Stubbergaard, architect of COBE, “driven by innovation, pioneering spirit and a bold outlook that is embodied by the station bridge and the related facilities”. Read the original article.

Dorte Mandrup: a whale-shaped observatory in the Arctic Circle

The Whale and Dorte Mandrup

Illustration: MIR

The Whale and Dorte Mandrup

Illustration: MIR

The Whale and Dorte Mandrup

Illustration: MIR

The Whale and Dorte Mandrup

Illustration: MIR

The Whale and Dorte Mandrup

Illustration: MIR

The Whale and Dorte Mandrup Elevation west

© Dorte Mandrup A/S

The Whale and Dorte Mandrup Exploded axonometry

© Dorte Mandrup A/S

The Whale and Dorte Mandrup Plan 1:200

© Dorte Mandrup A/S

The Danish architecture studio is the winner of the competition for New Arctic whale watching attraction. The Whale is a cultural building that aims to increase the understanding of these animals and preserve the marine life. The winners of the international competition promoted by The Whale AS for New Arctic attraction have been announced: the Danish architecture studio Dorte Mandrup A/S – together with Marianne Levinsen LAndskab and the consultants JAC Studios, Thornton Tomasetti, Nils Øien and Anders Kold – will build The Whale, actually looking like the gigantic mammal’s tail. The cultural building will be located in Northern Norway, 300 km north of the Arctic Circle, one of the best places for whale watching. Read the original article.

Kistefos Museet: the inhabitable bridge by BIG

The Twist by BIG

Photo Laurian Ghinitoiu

The Twist by BIG

Photo Laurian Ghinitoiu

The Twist by BIG

Photo Laurian Ghinitoiu

The Twist by BIG

Photo Laurian Ghinitoiu

The Twist by BIG

Photo Laurian Ghinitoiu

The Twist by BIG

Photo Laurian Ghinitoiu

The Twist by BIG

Photo Laurian Ghinitoiu

The Twist by BIG

Photo Laurian Ghinitoiu

The Twist by BIG

Photo Laurian Ghinitoiu

The Twist by BIG

Photo Laurian Ghinitoiu

The Twist by BIG

Photo Laurian Ghinitoiu

The Twist by BIG

Photo Laurian Ghinitoiu

The Twist by BIG

Photo Laurian Ghinitoiu

The Twist by BIG

Photo Laurian Ghinitoiu

The Twist by BIG Installation view of 'Hodgkin and Creed - Inside Out' at Kistefos.  

Photo Courtesy Einar Aslaksen  

The Twist by BIG Installation view of 'Hodgkin and Creed - Inside Out' at Kistefos.

Photo Courtesy Einar Aslaksen

The Twist by BIG Installation view of 'Hodgkin and Creed - Inside Out' at Kistefos.

Photo Courtesy Einar Aslaksen

The Twist by BIG Installation view of 'Hodgkin and Creed - Inside Out' at Kistefos.

Photo Courtesy Einar Aslaksen

‘Twist’ is the new bridge-museum designed by BIG studio in Norway. An unusual – and winning – model of fruition of contemporary art, in a close dialogue with the naturalistic site. “This museum is an inhabitable bridge”. This is how architect Bjarke Ingels, founder of the international studio BIG, began presenting his latest visionary project: the Kistefos Museet, which opened its doors on September 18 in Norway, in Jevnaker, a small town about 80 km from Oslo. Read the original article.

A golf club in Jordan mimics the desert dunes

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, Aqaba, Jordan, 2018. Photo © Rory Gardiner 

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, ground floor plan

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, east elevation

An artificial dune at the threshold of the desert: Oppenheim Architecture in Jordan

Oppenheim Architecture, Ayla Golfclub, west elevation

The Ayla Golf Academy and Clubhouse by Oppenheim Architecture is a pavilion covered by a single concrete sheet, shaped in accordance with the surrounding landscape. The deserts of Jordan come to touch on the sea in Aqaba, and alongside the limited national coastline in the vicinities of the city. Here, inside a larger development of approximately 17 square miles, also comprising residential apartments, hotels and commercial spaces, Oppenheim Architecture builds the Ayla Golf Academy and Clubhouse. Read the original article.

Snøhetta's underwater restaurant

Photo by Ivar Kvaa

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019. Photo Ivar Kvaa

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019. Photo Ivar Kvaa

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019. Photo Ivar Kvaa

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019. Photo Ivar Kvaa

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019. Photo Ivar Kvaa

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019. Photo Ivar Kvaa

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019. Photo Ivar Kvaa

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019. Photo by André Martinsen

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019. Photo Inger Marie Grini/Bo Bedre Norge  

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019. Photo Inger Marie Grini/Bo Bedre Norge

Photo by Inger Marie Grini/Bo Bedre Norge 

Foto Inger Marie Grini/Bo Bedre Norge 

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019. Photo by Inger Marie Grini/Bo Bedre Norge

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019. Photo Inger Marie Grini/Bo Bedre Norge

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019. Photo Ivar Kvaa

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019. Photo Ivar Kvaa

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019. Photo by Ivar Kvaa

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019. Photo Ivar Kvaa

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019 Photo by Ivar Kvaa

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019 Photo by Ivar Kvaa

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019 Photo by Ivar Kvaa

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019. Photo Ivar Kvaa

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019. Photo by Ivar Kvaa

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019. Section B

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019. Section A

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019

Snøhetta, Under, Båly, Norway, 2019

A concrete “periscope” that's slipped off Norway's rugged coastline and into the sea, Under is half-submerged restaurant that offers diners a window into life below the waves. Under is contained within a 34-metre-block that leans one end on the shoreline and the other 5 metres below the water's surface on the seabed. It claims the title of Europe's first underwater restaurant and Snøhetta′s latest “experimentation with boundaries“. Read the original article.

Azulik is a shrine dedicated to architecture, art and artisanry nestled in the forest

Alchemistry Installation view, Tegeticula Yuccasella and Here, Not Here (Psíquico), 2019 by Bianca Bondi, for Alchemistry at SFER IK, 2019

Courtesy of SFER IK

Alchemistry Installation view, Bianca Bondi, Tegeticula Yuccasella, 2019, for Alchemistry at SFER IK, 2019

Courtesy of SFER IK

Alchemistry Kelly Akashi, Big Drip 2016-2017, Bronze

Alchemistry Rochelle Goldber, Composite Mary, 2016

SFER IK, 2018

Courtesy of Fernando Artigas Architect/Photographer

SFER IK, 2018

Courtesy of Fernando Artigas Architect/Photographer

Healing House Installation view, Ernesto Neto, Healing House, for Conjunctions at SFER IK. Copyright Enchanting Transformation 2018

All Rights Reserved

Healing House Installation view, Ernesto Neto, Healing House, for Conjunctions at SFER IK. Copyright Enchanting Transformation 2018

All Rights Reserved

Healing House Installation view, Ernesto Neto, Healing House, for Conjunctions at SFER IK. Copyright Enchanting Transformation 2018

All Rights Reserved

Healing House Installation view, Ernesto Neto, Healing House, for Conjunctions at SFER IK. Copyright Enchanting Transformation 2018

All Rights Reserved

Healing House Installation view, Ernesto Neto, Healing House, for Conjunctions at SFER IK. Copyright Enchanting Transformation 2018

All Rights Reserved

Healing House Installation view, Ernesto Neto, Healing House, for Conjunctions at SFER IK. Copyright Enchanting Transformation 2018

All Rights Reserved

One enters Azulik Uh May barefoot. Taking pictures is prohibited here, and preference is given to the memory of the body and the senses rather than sight. In Mexico, art becomes a shrine to ecology, spirituality and wellbeing through building, exchange and intermingling of cultures. On the Yucatán peninsula, one of the most spectacular resorts on our planet has opened a space inside, as if it were a Russian nesting doll. It is a transdisciplinary production and creation centre that joins art, design, fashion in a holistic universe entirely devoted to physical and mental wellbeing. Read the original article.

Downhill biking in the heart of Copenhagen

Karen Blixens Plads Designed by COBE with EKJ Consulting Engineers, Copenhagen, 2019

Photo Rasmus Hjortshøj

Karen Blixens Plads Designed by COBE with EKJ Consulting Engineers, Copenhagen, 2019

Photo Rasmus Hjortshøj

Karen Blixens Plads Designed by COBE with EKJ Consulting Engineers, Copenhagen, 2019

Photo Rasmus Hjortshøj

Karen Blixens Plads Designed by COBE with EKJ Consulting Engineers, Copenhagen, 2019

Photo Rasmus Hjortshøj

Karen Blixens Plads Designed by COBE with EKJ Consulting Engineers, Copenhagen, 2019

Photo Rasmus Hjortshøj

Karen Blixens Plads Designed by COBE with EKJ Consulting Engineers, Copenhagen, 2019

Photo Rasmus Hjortshøj

Karen Blixens Plads Designed by COBE with EKJ Consulting Engineers, Copenhagen, 2019

Photo Rasmus Hjortshøj

Karen Blixens Plads Designed by COBE with EKJ Consulting Engineers, Copenhagen, 2019

Photo Rasmus Hjortshøj

Karen Blixens Plads Designed by COBE with EKJ Consulting Engineers, Copenhagen, 2019

Photo Rasmus Hjortshøj

Karen Blixens Plads Designed by COBE with EKJ Consulting Engineers, Copenhagen, 2019

Photo Rasmus Hjortshøj

Karen Blixens Plads Designed by COBE with EKJ Consulting Engineers, Copenhagen, 2019

Photo Rasmus Hjortshøj

Karen Blixens Plads Designed by COBE with EKJ Consulting Engineers, Copenhagen, 2019

Photo Rasmus Hjortshøj

Karen Blixens Plads Designed by COBE with EKJ Consulting Engineers, Copenhagen, 2019

Photo Rasmus Hjortshøj

Karen Blixens Plads Designed by COBE with EKJ Consulting Engineers, Copenhagen, 2019

Photo Rasmus Hjortshøj

Karen Blixens Plads Designed by COBE with EKJ Consulting Engineers, Copenhagen, 2019

Photo Rasmus Hjortshøj

Karen Blixens Plads Designed by COBE with EKJ Consulting Engineers, Copenhagen, 2019

Photo Rasmus Hjortshøj

Karen Blixens Plads site plan

Photo Rasmus Hjortshøj

COBE’s bicycle parking in Copenhagen creates a new public square with hollow hills and low bicyclebeds that can host up to 2,000 bikes. “It promotes green transportation, climate change adaptation and biodiversity”, this is how COBE describes its new grand public project, a concrete, undulating carpet that serves as a public square and a bicycle parking. Read the original article.

A renovated school in Turin enveloped by suspended terraces

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

Photo Simone Bossi

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

Photo Simone Bossi

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

Photo Simone Bossi

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

Photo Simone Bossi

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

Photo Simone Bossi

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

Photo Simone Bossi

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

Photo Simone Bossi

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

Photo Simone Bossi

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

Photo Simone Bossi

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

Photo Simone Bossi

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

Photo Simone Bossi

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

Photo Simone Bossi

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

Photo Simone Bossi

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

Photo Simone Bossi

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

Photo Simone Bossi

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

Photo Simone Bossi

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

Photo Simone Bossi

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

Photo Simone Bossi

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

Photo Simone Bossi

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

Photo Simone Bossi

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

Photo Simone Bossi

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

Photo Simone Bossi

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

Photo Simone Bossi

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

©courtesy of BDR bureau

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

©courtesy of BDR bureau

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

©courtesy of BDR bureau

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

©courtesy of BDR bureau

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

©courtesy of BDR bureau

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

©courtesy of BDR bureau

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

©courtesy of BDR bureau

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

©courtesy of BDR bureau

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau

©courtesy of BDR bureau

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau Axonometric schemes

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau Axonometry

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau Site plan 1:1000

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau Site plan 1:2000

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau Plan ground floor

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau Plan first floor

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau Plan second floor

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau Elevation north-west

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau Elevation south-east

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau Elevation south

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau Section A

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau Section B

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau Detail facade 1:20

Enrico Fermi School by BDR bureau Detail facade 1:50

Turin-based studio BDR bureau completed Enrico Fermi School: a community space integrated in the urban context defining new possibilities for the educational system. After winning the international competition “Torino Fa Scuola” launched in 2016, the renovation of Enrico Fermi School in Turin by BDR bureau has been completed in September 2019. The initiative, promoted by the Compagnia di San Paolo and Fondazione Agnelli, aimed to reflect on pedagogical and architectural issues of Italian schools. Read the original article.

The Shed: Diller Scofidio + Renfro's shape-shifting arts centre opens

The quilted “telescoping" shell unnests from the building to expand the space into an adjoining plaza at New York's Hudsons Yard development. Diller Scofidio + Renfro's The Shed art centre has opened as a "perpetual work-in-progress". The eight-floor building offers two levels of gallery space, as well as a theatre, and rehearsal and event areas. When deployed, a second roof can be rolled out to cover an adjoining plaza, doubling the building's footprint to a capacity of 3,000. The hood is equipped with black-out shades, rigging and power points, making it suitable for performances. Read the original article.

Museum in China inspired by the ancient Chinese empire

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

Crox, Liyang City Museum, Liyang, China, 2019

Photo Xia Zhi

The organic forms of the Liyang City Museum by Crox are inspired by stories from the ancient Chinese empire, with fluid shapes merged with the hill. The ultra-contemporary architecture designed by Chinese studio Crox in Liyang is characterised by organic forms and advanced manufacturing processes, but takes its inspiration from a very ancient story, dating back to the times of the Han dynasty, which ruled China from 206 BC to 220 AD. The story goes that Yong Cai, a scholar and officer of the Chinese Empire, heard firewood and sensed its quality and potential, and after pulling it out of the fireplace he made it into a musical instrument. Although this was partly charred, it made enchanting sounds, to the amazement of those present. Read the original article.