AZL architects wraps twisting jinling art museum in 139,000 bricks

sculptural architecture for ancient nanjing

AZL Architects recently completed the Jinling Art Museum, a project commissioned by China Overseas Real Estate for its Nanjing Jiangnan Jiuxu development. The design challenge was significant, as the architects were tasked with creating a space that not only serves as an art museum but also encapsulates the rich urban history and cultural traditions of Nanjing. The theme, ‘Jinling Renaissance under the Wutong Tree,’ guided the project, with the goal of reflecting Nanjing’s deep historical context and interpreting a contemporary design language with its complex brickwork.

Nanjing, historically known as Jinling, is one of China’s most ancient and culturally significant cities. With a civilization history spanning over 7,000 years, the city has played a pivotal role in Chinese history, serving as the capital for several dynasties. The city’s history is deeply intertwined with the preservation of Han culture, especially during periods of southern migration. The Jinling Art Museum aims to honor this heritage while also representing the city’s ongoing evolution.

images © Hou Bowen

a ceramic tile facade wraps jinling art museum

The team at AZL Architects designs its Jinling Art Museum as an assemblage of two rotated blocks connected by surfaces that create a distinctive twisting gesture. The base of the structure is aligned with the nearby high-rise residential buildings, while the upper portion is twisted to parallel the adjacent road. This twisting design, which differs from typical mathematical or spiral shapes, symbolizes the dynamic upward growth of the structure, resonating with the idea of vitality and the historical significance of the ‘mausoleum’ in Nanjing. The interplay between the twisted diamond volume and the square base creates a rich internal and external spatial experience.

A key feature of the museum’s design is its facade, which is clad in 139,000 custom-made ceramic tiles. These tiles, each measuring 60x60x180mm, were chosen to reflect Nanjing’s 3,100-year history and the significance of its ancient city walls. The ceramic tiles draw inspiration from a brick from the late Eastern Jin Dynasty, currently housed in the Nanjing Museum. While all tiles share the same dimensions, they vary in texture, with both glazed and unglazed finishes, adding depth and visual interest to the facade.

AZL Architects’ Jinling Art Museum reflects Nanjing’s deep historical and cultural significance

azl architects’ innovative curtain wall construction

The ceramic tile facade required innovative construction techniques. Two methods were employed for securing the tiles: an ‘assembled U-shaped slot through-bolt fixing’ for the curved surface above the main entrance, and a more conventional ‘assembled chemical anchor fixing’ for other areas. These methods ensured both safety and the integration of traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. Special tools were developed to precisely drill holes and grooves in the tiles, accommodating the complex intersections between flat and curved surfaces.

The design of the ceramic tile curtain wall was based on a modular approach, allowing for on-site assembly while maintaining the precision required for the intricate facade. The unit modules, each about 1.2 meters long, consist of a horizontal row of ceramic bricks mounted on a linear steel keel. This modular approach simplified the construction of both flat and curved surfaces, enabling the creation of a seamless three-dimensional facade.

rotated blocks are connected by surfaces that create a dynamic twisting gesture