China's urban development and waves of cultural revival

Located in Anhui, China, the Simple Art Museum is a cultural facility that integrates traditional Hui-style architecture with modern urban culture, focusing primarily on art exhibitions. This project, designed by HAS Design and Research, the architectural firm led by Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee, has garnered attention for preserving the rich history and culture of the region while incorporating contemporary design perspectives. The museum reinterprets the defining characteristics of Hui-style architecture, creating a space where art connects the past and present.

The Evolution of Urban and Cultural Development in China

In the early 21st century, China saw a rapid expansion in museum construction. Cities flourished under the themes of cultural revival, historical reinterpretation, and social care, creating a new international vision for urban landscapes. Over the past two decades, through significant events like the Beijing Olympics, Shanghai World Expo, Hangzhou Asian Games, and the global pandemic, Chinese cities have continued to evolve. Once towering symbols of progress, high-rise buildings have given way to more human-centered approaches that integrate social awareness and artistic perspectives into urban renewal. Amid this cultural transformation, the Simple Art Museum stands at the forefront. This contemporary art museum provides a platform for artists to reflect on society and the environment, situated in a newly developed urban area in Anhui, China.

Reinterpreting Hui-style Architecture

This region is renowned for its Hui-style architecture, characterized by distinctive elements such as roofs, gables, columns, and gardens, all of which symbolize the cultural importance of the area. As the city continues to grow, the museum faces the challenge of respecting its historical roots while creating new cultural significance. In response, Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee, leading architects of HAS Design and Research, have crafted a bold design inspired by Anhui’s traditional architectural forms. They have reinterpreted the iconic roofs and gables of Hui-style architecture to create a modern space where human interaction and the spirit of the community converge.

Designing Spaces for Social Connection

Their design preserves the essence of the traditional Hui-style village, with the fireproof inward-facing gables extending outward in a symbolic gesture, opening up to the public. This seamless structure creates an integrated indoor space for artistic expression, housing art exhibitions, galleries, workshops, multimedia rooms, design salons, and cafés. The flowing curves of the building’s interior harmonize with the architectural design, elegantly blending tradition and modernity.

Resonating with the Local Community

On the ground floor, a vast grey space invites the local community to gather, fostering dialogue and connection. This area is designed to bring art and beauty into the everyday lives of residents, elevating the ordinary into the extraordinary. Above, the museum’s jagged roof echoes the exhibition spaces below, while curved walls guide visitors through paths reminiscent of traditional Chinese gardens, where natural light and shadow interact to create a timeless atmosphere. The upper level is home to open art offices that continue the narrative of the exhibition spaces below. The curving and undulating walls blur the lines of traditional workspaces, encouraging creativity and collaboration. In this way, the museum becomes more than just a place to display art—it serves as an incubator for ideas.

Harmonizing with Nature

The museum is located near the Nanfei River, often referred to as the "Mother River of Hefei." The design takes inspiration from the natural rhythm of the river, with curved walls and a wave-like roof that reflect the flow of the water. During the day, the museum's roof casts wide shadows across the outdoor plaza, offering visitors a tranquil space for reflection. In the afternoon, light streams through the building, creating a sacred glow inside. At night, the museum shines from within, a warm and welcoming presence amid the evolving urban landscape.

About HAS Design and Research

HAS Design and Research is an internationally recognized architectural firm led by Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee. Their work emphasizes the intersection of design and research, exploring the architectural language of Asia while drawing analogies between nature and man-made environments. Their approach seeks to create what they call "Improvised, MANufAcTURE, and Chameleon Architecture," adapting flexibly to the unique characteristics of each city and its natural surroundings.