Standing proudly in the heart of Sichuan, China, The Sanxingdui Museum Public Area and Tourist Reception Center proudly remind us of the great culture that the Sanxingdui civilization left behind. Designed by CSD. DESIGN—positioned on top of history lying underneath, this architectural marvel deftly connects the world of the past with the present. The endowing of the art Museum with the harmony of traditionalism and modernism, careful research, and deep respect for history is evidence of the high level of thoughtfulness.
A Journey Through Time and Space
If the core principle of the museum is to produce a form of space-time synthesis, it must be the basis of the curatorial function of the place. The combination of new and old structures is applied to the museum, which serves as the medium for contemporary and past dialogue with each other, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in diverse Sanxingdui's history. Walls within the museum rooms can project lasers mimicking the relation of the old Egyptian community with the outer world while architectural details echo the body landmarks of the old objects. Thus, the viewer's mind itself disappears in this creative world.
(Photo: CSD.DESIGN / Arch-Exist)
Indeed, the most captivating aspect of the museum is its internal construction, composed of a spiraling ramp that continues the ascent to the heavens' realm. The historical building feature here is placed side by side with the modern atrium, which has a descending passageway that suggests half-buried passages leading to the beginning of the ancient Shu civilization. The interplay of light and shadow within the museum enhances the immersive experience, while a 12-ton chandelier symbolizes the weight of history that permeates the space.
The materials used throughout the museum's design further emphasize its connection to the past. Epoxy grinding stone, artistic concrete hanging boards, and imitation old copper stainless steel evoke the ancient craftsmanship of Sanxingdui while blurring the boundaries between sky and land. The Bronze Age is being restored here with regard to the oxidation of the copper steps, which is peculiar among all the interior museum components that were chosen for this museum.
Discourse and interaction are other unique features worth mentioning in the Sanxingdui Museum space besides its architectural and design elements. Emphasizing conversation in the place of this café area made the community of visitors more dynamic. It offered them a platform for the exchange of ideas and the creation of ties. A multidimensional approach has been considered in all aspects of its design because it is CSD. DESIGN has done that. It has made it possible for memories of the past to keep getting revived, but everyone is left wanting to know more in the future.
(Photo: CSD.DESIGN / Arch-Exist)
In conclusion, CSD.DESIGN's interior layout for the Sanxingdui Museum in China represents a harmonious fusion of past and present, tradition and innovation. An intricacy in the design that conveys intellectual accuracy in cultural heritage artfulness makes this museum not just an ordinary architecture but a journey of transformation for the visitors. The helical ramp representing ascension to the sky will be the sanctuary's opening, followed by the involvement of light, shadow, and the whole composition. In the end, the visitor can walk away with a clear picture of how the lost Sanxingdui civilization can be as well. The Balancing House poses as a stronghold against the consequential erosion of history, speaking to the power of design to close the gaps of time, space, and the inner human spirit.