With the natural island of Pingtan itself (one of the largest of China and attributed to Fujian province), the building with a total area of 40,000 m2 is connected only by a narrow curving bridge-pier resembling a stingray tail. The architects chose concrete as the main material, to which they will add fragments of local shells - to create a more textured surface.
The exhibition halls of the museum are located inside three hills (in its shape and relief, the artificial island resembles Pingtan itself) and therefore are designed as caves. They plan to show more than 1000 items from the largest private collection of Chinese art in Asia. The characteristic "oculus" and glazed "slots" will create a play of light and shadow in the interior space.
However, the museum function is not the only one here: the outer, "hilly" surface will be occupied by various public areas (beach, green oasis, slopes of "dunes" and so on).
MAD's new facility will cost nearly $ 131 million. And just like their famous Ordos City Museum in Inner Mongolia, it will be the cornerstone of the founding of the new city. An ambitious urban development project should transform the Pingtan Island, now built up only by military facilities and fisheries, into a modern "communication zone", providing closer cultural and trade ties between the PRC and Taiwan, located near Pingtang. Thus, a relatively small private museum will acquire a major socio-political significance.
It is important to note that the project has already begun: preparatory work is underway to start construction.
