Unreal Reality: An Amazing Science Fiction Museum Has Been Built in China

The Science Fiction Museum project for the 20-million-strong city of Chengdu in Sichuan Province has been designed by the renowned British architectural firm Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA). Spanning an impressive 59,000 square meters, the museum will host a variety of exhibitions, conferences, and other events.

Situated next to the picturesque Jingzhong Lake in the New Science and Innovation City, the museum lies at the heart of the Pidu District. The project concept pays homage to Chengdu’s rich cultural heritage, a city that has nurtured famous Chinese science fiction authors for decades.

Moreover, Chengdu has long established itself as a dynamic hub for scientific innovation and research. The city also has a fondness for futuristic architecture, serving as a bridge between fantasy and reality.

The design of the newly created museum seamlessly integrates with the surrounding environment, creating a harmonious connection between the building and the lush park area. Strolls through this space promise visitors extraordinary discoveries, as reported by Designboom. Guests will traverse pedestrian paths leading from the city to the heart of the museum, moving between levels of indoor and outdoor halls.

The Roof – A Nebula with a Star

The Science Fiction Museum by Zaha Hadid Architects is distinguished by its dynamic yet fluid forms. Overall, the structure appears to hover above the lake’s surface, beautifully blending architectural and natural beauty.

From a bird’s-eye view, the museum’s roof resembles a nebula with a giant silver star sprawled across it. Inside this star is a droplet-shaped atrium opening, which serves as a key source of natural light during the day. In the evening, real stars mysteriously peek through this window.

This unusual roof design serves as a metaphor for the union of life experience and boundless imagination. This metaphor comes to life in all the museum’s spaces: galleries, a multifunctional hall, a conference center, cafés, educational areas, and more.

Prioritizing Ecology

The building features large windows, including the aforementioned atrium window, that overlook Mount Silin. Even while inside, visitors feel a connection to the lush surrounding nature.

The ZHA museum meets the highest three-star standards of China’s green building program. The structure maximizes natural ventilation and incorporates photovoltaic elements within the canopy to reduce energy consumption.

Additionally, the surrounding park features technology for collecting and storing rainwater.

Recently, the newly built museum hosted the 81st Science Fiction Convention and the prestigious Hugo Awards ceremony, which annually honors the best science fiction authors from around the world.