The landmark project blends traditional garden aesthetics with modern architecture along Jinji Lake.
A Village of Pavilions Under a Ribbon-Like Roof
Designed by BIG, the Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art spans 60,000 square meters and is set to open in 2026. The museum is conceived as 12 interconnected pavilions beneath a continuous, ribbon-like roof, inspired by Suzhou’s classical gardens and waterfront setting. The architecture weaves together glazed galleries and porticoes, creating a dynamic “Chinese knot” of courtyards and exhibition spaces.
Architecture That Blurs Boundaries
The façades, clad in rippled glass and warm-toned stainless steel, merge seamlessly with the surrounding water and gardens. From above, the roof tiles form a distinctive “fifth facade” that branches like a rhizome, connecting the city and the lake. The design honors traditional elements, such as the lang or covered corridor, while translating them into a contemporary architectural language.
Materialism Exhibition Debuts in 2026
Ahead of the museum’s official opening, BIG will debut Materialism, a tactile exhibition exploring the journey of materials from stone to recyclate. Visitors can experience seating and plaques crafted from the very materials on display, alongside large-scale models of 20 BIG projects, including the Copenhagen headquarters and Google Bay View, creating an immersive exploration of texture, form, and architectural innovation.
