Jinling Art Museum / AZL Architects

Architects: AZL Architects
Year: 2024
Photography: Hou Bowen
Architect Team: Lei Xiaohua, Zhang Lei
Design Team: Li Zheng, Feng Yujun, Weng Xin, Li Yuxi, Li Yabin, Qi Qing, Hong Siyao (Architecture); Du Yue, Yan Keqian, Zhu Yongjian, Che Sujing (Interior)
Construction Drawings Team: Chen Genlin, Xia Yuchen, Wang Dong (Architecture); Li Jun, Huang Kai, Gao Yuejin, Zhu Ziyang (Structural); Yao Yongsheng (Plumbing); Liu Caiqin (Electrical); Gu Jialei (HVAC)
Client: Nanjing Zhonghai Real Estate Co
City: Nanjing
Country: China

The Jinling Art Museum, designed by AZL Architects, was completed in 2024 as part of the Jiangnan Jiuxu development in Nanjing, China. The museum features a twisting diamond-shaped form and a ceramic brick facade inspired by the city’s ancient walls. The structure includes community spaces such as an exhibition hall and a library, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern construction techniques to reflect Nanjing’s historical legacy and ongoing transformation.

In October 2023, AZL Architects received the invitation to design the Jinling Art Museum, a project commissioned by China Overseas Real Estate. This museum was part of the Jiangnan Jiuxu development in Nanjing, and the design followed the theme “The Renaissance of Jinling under the Sycamore Tree.” The architects sought to create a space that reflects Nanjing’s profound historical significance while adopting a contemporary design approach. Nanjing, historically known as Jinling, has a city-building legacy spanning over 3,100 years and served as the world’s largest city during the Six Dynasties period, being the first to have a population exceeding one million.

A key design inspiration came from the Chinese character “陵” (ling), symbolizing the intertwining of yin and yang energies, which represents vitality and growth. Nanjing’s rich architectural history, particularly the Ming Dynasty city walls built by Zhu Yuanzhang in 1366, provided additional inspiration. These diamond-shaped walls, along with the iconic No. 61 He Fang river house—an important cultural relic with a diamond-shaped structure—deeply influenced the museum’s geometric design.

The Jinling Art Museum was positioned within a residential district. Its lower portion aligns with nearby high-rise buildings, while the upper form twists to mirror the adjacent road. This twisting diamond-shaped structure not only connects the historical symbolism of the “陵” character with its upward growth but also creates a dynamic interplay between interior and exterior spaces, representing Nanjing’s vibrant yet deeply rooted heritage.

The museum’s facade, a defining feature of its architecture, is clad in 139,000 custom ceramic bricks, each 60x60x180mm. The design of these bricks was influenced by a historic Eastern Jin Dynasty brick from the Nanjing Museum, referencing Nanjing’s ancient city walls. These ceramic bricks, arranged in a gradient pattern, feature both glazed and unglazed textures to create depth and evoke the weathered surfaces of the ancient city walls. The careful selection of these materials connects the museum’s architecture with Nanjing’s deep historical past.

Construction of the facade required precise methods. The curved surface above the main entrance used an ‘assembled U-shaped slot through-bolt fixing’ system, while the rest of the facade employed a ‘chemical anchor fixing’ method. The design addressed complex junctions where multiple surfaces met, and a 1:1 physical model of the facade was constructed on-site to validate the accuracy of the design. This model helped ensure seamless transitions between the curved and flat sections of the building.

The facade was built using a modular curtain wall system, with each module measuring 1.2 meters in length. This modular approach allowed the ceramic bricks to adjust for both the curved and straight surfaces of the museum. When working on curved surfaces, the design divided the structure into straight units to ensure smooth transitions between the different faces. In areas with steep angles, some units were rotated 90 degrees to maintain visual consistency across the facade.

Beyond its distinctive architectural form, the Jinling Art Museum serves as a vital community space. The museum houses a ground-level exhibition hall and a second-floor library, both of which are connected by a staircase leading to an expansive underground community hall. This multifunctional design fosters cultural exchange and community engagement, offering a platform for both public interaction and private reflection.

The Jinling Art Museum stands as a powerful representation of Nanjing’s ability to blend tradition with modernity. Its twisting form and innovative use of materials reflect the city’s stability and adaptability, making it a testament to Nanjing’s historical legacy and future urban growth. The careful fusion of traditional craftsmanship with modern construction techniques ensures that the museum serves not only as a cultural landmark but also as a living symbol of Nanjing’s enduring spirit.