Suzhou, like many cities in China, is undergoing a transformation. In this case more remarkable than most - as it’s being turned into an architectural maze. Picture this: a sprawling 60,000 m² wonderland, the Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art is set to be built 2025. Dreamt up by the ingenious minds at Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), ARTS Group, and Front Inc., this museum is no ordinary attraction. Instead it’s a whimsical village of 12 pavilions, each offering a fresh, modern twist on Suzhou's urban charm, architectural grace, and scenic landscapes. This museum, a jewel in the crown of Jinji Lake’s development, reimagines the classic Suzhou garden - a meandering path that cradles gardens adorned with outdoor art. These paths culminate in pavilions, blending seamlessly with the landscape. Visitors will embark on a delightful journey through art, nature, and shimmering waters. In fact, BIG founder Bjarke Ingels says the designs will create a beautiful but navigable urban maze in which residents and visitors will be able to discover the city anew at every turn. He explains: “Our design for the Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art is conceived as a Chinese garden of pavilions and courtyards. Individual pavilions are woven together by glazed galleries and porticoes, creating a network of interconnected sculpture courtyards and exhibition spaces. “ Weaving between the Ferris wheel legs, the museum branches out like a rhizome, connecting the city to the lake. The result is a manmade maze of plants and artworks to get lost within.” The pièce de résistance is the museum's ribbon-like roof, flowing into a cascade of eaves that double as sheltered walkways. These walkways even stretch out into Jinji Lake, best admired from the lofty heights of the Suzhou Ferris wheel. Of the development, Ingels adds: Its nodular logic only becomes distinctly discernible when viewed from the gondolas above. Against the open space of the lake, the gentle catenary curvature of the roofs forms a graceful silhouette on the waterfront. Viewed from above, the stainless roof tiles form a true fifth facade.” Four of these enchanting pavilions form the main gallery experience, while the other five host a multifunction hall for events and lectures, a theatre, a restaurant, and a grand entrance. It’s a veritable cornucopia of cultural delights! Bjarke Ingels, the visionary Founder and Creative Director of BIG, says:“Our design for the Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art is conceived as a Chinese garden of pavilions and courtyards. Individual pavilions are woven together by glazed galleries and porticoes, creating a network of interconnected sculpture courtyards and exhibition spaces. “Weaving between the Ferris wheel legs, the museum branches out like a rhizome, connecting the city to the lake. The result is a manmade maze of plants and artworks to get lost within. Its nodular logic only becomes distinctly discernible when viewed from the gondolas above. Against the open space of the lake, the gentle catenary curvature of the roofs forms a graceful silhouette on the waterfront. Viewed from above, the stainless roof tiles form a true fifth facade.” Catherine Huang, Partner in Charge at BIG, envisions the Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art as a tribute to Suzhou’s rich gardens - which are referred to by their own distinctive term - ‘lang’. She says: “ We envision the 'lang’ a traditional element of Suzhou gardens, gracefully winding through the landscapes and transforming into pavilions. In doing so, it frames the contemporary gardens, making them an integral part of the exhibition, as significant as the artwork within.” The museum's landscape is a public space, extending to the front of Jinji Lake through interconnected gardens, offering Suzhou’s citizens a rich cultural experience even outside museum hours. These gardens transition from mineral to green to water-themed, guiding visitors towards the waterfront and into a world where art and nature dance together in perfect harmony. Where: Suzhou, Jiangsu, China When: 06 Aug 2024 Credit: Bjarke Ingels Group/Cover Images **EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED SUPPLIER.**