Dramatic Design by 3XN, B+H Architects, and Zhubo Design
The Shenzhen Natural History Museum, set to open in China’s Pingshan District, transcends traditional design. Crafted by the collaborative efforts of 3XN, B+H Architects, and Zhubo Design, this 105,300-square-meter marvel nestles against Yanzi Lake. The museum integrates its galleries and public spaces into a magnificent sloping form, resembling a natural land formation.
With granite façades and sweeping terraces, the structure evokes a dynamic geological presence. It invites visitors not just to observe nature but to walk across its vast, sculpted rooftop, melding landscape and architecture in a tangible, everyday civic space.
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Innovative Interior Features Five Cone-Shaped Galleries
Stepping inside, visitors encounter an imaginative layout anchored by five cone-shaped galleries. These spaces guide them through exhibitions without traditional rooms, reflecting nature’s inherent irregularity. The museum’s eight themed halls span 4.6 billion years of Earth’s saga, from cosmic beginnings to southern China’s current ecology, interweaving fossils, minerals, and digital media.
An Elevated Park Extends Into the Urban Landscape
This project, executed by 3XN and B+H Architects, with Atelier Brückner and Museum Studio’s contributions, blends architecture deeply with exhibition design. The displays ascend along curved walls, enriched by immersive media and thoughtfully modulated lighting, transforming each gallery into a lived environment.
Completed in July 2026, after ground was broken in March 2022, the museum stands as a testament to a harmonious collaboration of design expertise. It is a unification of path, park, and museum, turning natural history into a sensory journey through time and materials.
The granite exteriors and carved openings enhance the museum’s organic flow.
These rugged granite surfaces root the building in a timeless, terrestrial form.
The interior passages mimic caves, linking diverse exhibition zones seamlessly.
Eight intricately themed halls narrate the Earth’s profound history.
The museum’s interiors meld traditional artifacts with contemporary installations.
Project Details
- Name: Shenzhen Natural History Museum
- Location: Pingshan District, Shenzhen, China
- Design Consortium: 3XN, B+H Architects, and Zhubo Design | @3xnarchitects @BH_Architects
- Completion: July 2026
- Photographer: Adam Mørk | @adammork
Additionally, discover a Czech architect’s pavilion blending ancient philosophy with modern architecture for a unique design experience.
Sources & Links
Source: designboom.com
Frequently asked questions
Who designed the Shenzhen Natural History Museum?
The Shenzhen Natural History Museum was designed by 3XN, B+H Architects, and Zhubo Design.
What is unique about the museum’s architecture?
The museum integrates its galleries and public spaces into a magnificent sloping form, resembling a natural land formation with granite façades and sweeping terraces.
What interior features does the museum have?
Inside the museum, visitors encounter an imaginative layout anchored by five cone-shaped galleries with eight themed halls that span 4.6 billion years of Earth’s history.