This dreamlike image sets the ambition of adding even more natural beauty to Yangzhou. The Sanwan park and the buildings are the inspiration of the poets of today. The buildings we design are not just buildings but special attractions in the park. Just like the Lotus Flower Pagoda and the Fishing Platform in the Slender West Lake in Yangzhou. The two museums add a new rich layer to the more than 2500 years of history of Yangzhou city. The two buildings reflect the straight shape of the Grand Canal and the natural forms of the river. Each in their own way. They are complementary, like Yin and Yang, the Dragon and the Phoenix.

Canal museum: floating roof above canals
The roof of the Canal Museum has a stunning natural curve. People can use their imagination. Some will see a big river wave, others will see the old fisherman’s fishing net, drying in the sun. The layout of the building is made of straight lines. Here we used the rich inspiration of the Grand Canal of Yangzhou. The invention of the water-level-adjusting pound lock in the 10th century was done in response to the necessity of greater safety for the travel of barge ships along rougher waters of the Grand Canal. A great invention for the whole world. We wanted to bring this back in memory for the visitors of Yangzhou. So in the museum there is a whole series of pound locks, canals crossing and differences of height. Visitors can experience the exhibition by boat and learn more about the functioning of the pound locks. It’s education and fun at the same time!

Wetlands museum: unfolding wetlands to the sky and into the water
The roof of the Wetlands museum is unfolding itself. It reaches to the sky. Imagine the wonderful view from up here. The canal as a silver line in the sun and the birds wading between the plants. Visitors can also go down, enter the exciting underwater world. Just a few steps away. The wetlands are rich of flora and fauna above, in and under the water. We want visitors to experience them all. The history of Yangzhou as a leading economic and cultural center and major port of foreign trade and external exchange since the Tang Dynasty (618-907), inspired us. The outward looking character of Yangzhou is reflected in the wetlands of the five continents that can be visited. The lay-out is playful with lingering footways through the building.

Xiangsheng
Both museums could also be used for performances, like plays and music or the ancient folk art of Xiangsheng, the famous Yangzhou storytelling. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if ancient stories like Shuihu Zhuan also known as Outlaws of the Marsh could be told to the youth of Yangzhou.

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