Location: Ningbo, China.

Architect: Progetto CMR.

The Duao Art Museum is a contemporary art museum located in a small village in the mountainous areas of Ningbo, Zhejiang province. The building was originally an army granary and was acquired by HKE Group to be transformed into a place to store art. The integrated design firm Progetto CMR was tasked with creating a simple and modern art museum that would have a strong relationship with nature and preserve local culture. The building has seven wings connected by a central area, each wing spreading out towards different directions to acquire a variety of views and natural light. The building is arranged into three floors, with the exhibition space on the ground floor, private rooms and gardens on the first floor, and indoor living rooms and restaurants on the second floor. The outdoor workshop at the foot of the hill provides artists with a place to relax and be creative in the bosom of nature. The building blurs the boundary between the building and nature, making it an intimate place for artists to find inspiration and a container of art and local culture.

Photo credit: Progetto CMR.