A veritable architectural UFO, the Zaishui Art Museum literally appears to emerge from a lake. A technical feat imagined by Japanese architect Junya Ishigami.
TAKE POSSESSION OF A VIRGIN SPACE
Open to the public since the beginning of 2024, the Zaishui Art Museum has taken up residence in Rizhao, in the province of Shandong. An unexplored territory, this Chinese province is renowned for its unspoilt landscapes where nature reigns supreme. Housing an exhibition space, an information center and a shopping mall, this large-scale project had to offer the gigantism it deserved without disfiguring the environment in which it was to be set. Mission accomplished, thanks to Junya Ishigami's undeniable talent! Acclaimed for his universe halfway between science and poetry, the Japanese architect has no equal when it comes to finding the perfect balance between construction and landscape. As evidenced by this dreamlike new museum, which transports visitors to a world where the boundaries between the built and the natural have disappeared...
THE DELICATE MARRIAGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND NATURE
As daring as it is breathtaking, the Zaishui Art Museum rises literally out of an artificial lake that serves as a water reservoir for the surrounding dense forests. Its austere simplicity is the source of its rare elegance. Ultimately reduced to a single line floating 1 km above the entire length of the lake, it stands out from the blue-green water in a visual symphony in harmony with the surrounding scenery. It's no coincidence that Junya Ishigami chose glass to clad the walls of his building. Allowing sunlight to bathe the interior, the glass also reflects the exceptional natural tableau that comes to life outside as the seasons change. Immersed in the immensity of China's landscapes, the Zaishui Art Museum offers much more than a simple artistic experience: it makes every visit to the museum a walk in nature...
FORGET WHERE WHAT THE HAND OF MAN HAS CREATED BEGINS
Driven by this quest for fusion, Junya Ishigami has imagined a structure without walls, partitions or visual boundaries, which plays with its environment. As a result, walking through the museum resembles a long journey between culture and nature. Always different, the delight of the eyes comes as much from within as from without. And this osmosis undoubtedly reaches its climax at ground level. If you look down, you'll notice that the concrete slab is licked clean by the water from the lake, which flows right into the museum. Flowing gently to its base, the presence of the water transforms the concrete into a sandy shore in a glass-skin setting. Conceived as an island, the Zaishui Art Museum cradles its visitors to the rhythm of the waves as they progress through its enclosure. A vision so enigmatic it's like a mirage...
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