Text by MOOK Scenic Spots House | Photos by Fang Fangtian_ArchDaily
On a stream that runs through the ancient border town of Biancheng, there stands a bridge corridor rich in Chinese cultural elements. Residents and travelers can freely walk through it, and it is not only a bridge but also a breathtaking art gallery.
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The bridge corridor over the stream in Biancheng.
The Jishou Art Museum is located in Jishou City, western Hunan, China, an autonomous region for ethnic minorities. It is a bridge-corridor building formed by stacking two spatial levels.
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The Jishou Art Museum over the stream takes on a unique charm when lit up at night.
Originally, the local government hoped to develop land outside the city to build cultural institutions. However, since contemporary culture in China is often distant from communities, the architect aimed to bring art and culture into people’s daily lives—thus the Jishou Art Museum was born.
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The glass curtains on both sides allow natural light to freely penetrate the interior spaces of the bridge corridor.
The Jishou Art Museum is situated on a stream called Wanrong, which runs through the entire ancient town of Jishou. The museum is located right at the center, allowing local residents to encounter artworks in their everyday lives without having to make a special trip to see exhibitions.
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The unique bridge-corridor structure blends its materials seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.
The architect integrated the art museum into the daily lives of local residents, using locally characteristic stone walls and brick tiles to create a harmonious landscape and atmosphere.
An aerial view showing the relationship between the Jishou Art Museum and nearby residential houses.
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