The arches of the Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Museum evoke tradition

In the "capital of porcelain", the Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Museum, just a stone's throw away from the ruins of the Imperial Kiln and ancient production complexes of the precious material, offers a unique experience of contact with tradition in a contemporary reinterpretation. More than half a dozen large vaults of different sizes, composed of a mix of new and ancient bricks, replicate the shape of the kilns of the past

At the center of the archaeological area of the porcelain kilns

The city of Jingdezhen, which during the Ming and Qing dynasties, exported a large quantity of porcelain to Europe, developed by adapting to the hilly and riverine terrain that favored this type of industry. The Museum, one of the architectural projects by Studio Zhu-Pei, is located in the center of the archaeological area of the kilns and, with its evocative arches, inner courtyards, and water basins, embraces and frames the ruins of the Imperial Kiln

Unexplored spaces, intimate inner courtyards, open and covered environments

Visitors arrive at the Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Museum by crossing the forest of the Imperial Kiln Relic Park, walking on a walkway and reaching the foyer. The unparalleled forms of the museum root into the ground even below street level, creating unexplored spaces, intimate inner courtyards, open and covered spaces optimal for the summer, rainy, and hot climate. The large vaults allow for adaptation to the irregular terrain, seamlessly integrating with the archaeological remains, some of which were discovered during construction

The structure in brick and concrete vaults

The structures are made of bricks; like the ancient ovens and as the tradition of the city dictates, many of these are recovered directly from the abandoned ovens, which need to be rebuilt every three years to maintain the performance of the material. Inside the brick arches, poured concrete consolidates their shape. Circular skylights, inspired by the smoke holes of the ovens, allow natural light to filter inside imitated by artificial lighting fixtures

The Museum Program and the 5 Elements of Chinese Tradition

To the left of the foyer, the arches of the exhibition spaces open up, differentiated by size and whether they are open or closed towards the sky; a delicate staircase leads to the underground level with its 5 courtyards. These are dedicated to the 5 elements of Chinese tradition, which are the same ones involved in the production of porcelain: gold, fire, wood, water, earth. The museum also offers a library, a bar, and a tea room

Gallery

Photo credits
Top image, content and gallery images: schranimage, Tian Fangfang, Zhang Qinquan, courtesy of Studio Zhu-Pei

Designers credits
Architecture, Interior and Landscape Design: Studio Zhu-Pei
Cooperative Design: Architectural Design and Research Institute of Tsinghua University
Design in Charge: Zhu Pei
Front Criticism: Zhou Rong
Art Consultant: Wang Mingxian, Li Xiangning
Design Team: You Changchen, Han Mo, He Fan, Shuhei Nakamura, Liu Ling, Wu Zhigang, Zhang Shun, Du Yang, Yang Shengchen, Chen Yida, He Chenglong, Ding Xinyue
Consultants: Structural, MEP and Green Building: Architectural Design and Research Institute of Tsinghua University
Facade: Shenzhen Dadi Facade Technology CO., LTD.
Lighting: Ning Field Lighting Design CO., LTD.
Acoustic: Building Science & Technology Institute, Zhejiang University
Client: Jingdezhen Municipal Bureau of Culture Radio Television Press Publication and Tourism, Jingdezhen Ceramic Culture Tourism Group
Main Contractor: China Construction First Group Corporation Limited, Huajiang Construction CO., LTD of China Construction First Group

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Studio Zhui-Pei

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