fumihiko maki to realize shekou museum in shenzhen

the victoria & albert museum has signed an agreement to work together with developer china merchants group to realize china's first major cultural institution dedicated to design, with a scheme conceived by fumihiko maki.

andrea chin June 18, 2014 3 min

fumihiko maki to realize shekou museum in shenzhen
image © china merchants property development & maki and associates

the victoria & albert museum has signed an agreement to work together with developer china merchants group to realize china’s first major cultural institution dedicated to design. located in the city of shenzhen, the ‘shekou museum’ scheme has been conceived by fumihiko maki, and is being built on the site of the shenzhen sea world cultural arts center also created by the japanese architect.

fumihiko maki shekou museum shenzhen V&A designboom
a large staircase leads visitors up towards a open green rooftop
image © china merchants property development & maki and associates

of the project, british prime minister david cameron said: ‘this pioneering collaboration between the world’s leading museum of art and design and china merchants group is a fine example of british expertise fostering fruitful bi-lateral partnerships which contribute to the growth of the creative economy. I wish this innovative endeavour to be a resounding success and I applaud the leading role china merchants group and the V&A are playing in strengthening china-UK cultural relationships.’

fumihiko maki shekou museum shenzhen V&A designboom
3/4 view of a prototype model
image © china merchants property development & maki and associates

composed of three cantilevered volumes that extend from a low sitting podium, the ‘shekou museum’ will feature four floors of exhibition spaces. a stairway on the exterior leads visitors towards the rooftops of the plain of the three projecting structures which open up onto a public green area; from which to enjoy views of the nearby ocean. the V&A is said to be aiding the ‘shekou museum’ in developing its collection by employing one of its senior curators to be involved in a three-year secondment in shenzhen to work as head of the shekou V&A partnership in china. in addition, the V&A will have a gallery within dedicated to showcasing curated objects from its collections, as well as its major presentations.

tim reeve, V&A’s chief operating officer said of the partnership: ‘this is an incredibly exciting project for the V&A. it builds on the long history the V&A has of working in and with china to share collections, knowledge and expertise. by working with our trusted partner, china merchants group, we are able to engage in a meaningful and financially sustainable way with one of the most dynamic design cities in the world at a time when china is emerging at the forefront of new design ideas and creative thinking’.

‘as part of our redevelopment of the shekou district of shenzhen we wanted to offer the local residents an internationally important museum that would help promote the development of china’s creative industries and further progress design in china. we can think of no better partner to do this with than the V&A, which brings with it a wealth of expertise on the role of a contemporary design museum as well as understanding of chinese culture through their long-standing connections with china. we think this collaboration will deliver a truly wonderful new museum’. – mr.sun, vice-president of china merchants group

the ‘shekou museum’ by fumihiko maki is scheduled to open at the end of 2016.