MAJIAYAO RUINS MUSEUM

Lintao, Gansu, China

Majiayao Ruins are located in Lintao Country , Gansu Province, at the intersection of Taohe River and its tributary Bamayu canyon. It belongs to the ancient settlement site from Neolithic Age to Bronze Age, In 1924,Swedish geologist Andersen discovered the Majiayao site on the west bank of Taohe River in Lintao County. Along with the excavation of a large number of painted pottery vessels, it has been proved to be the most important prehistoric civilization in the upper reaches of the Yellow River in the late Neolithic period and is known as Majlavao Culture. Majayao Ruins Museum and Observatory are located on the north and south sides of Bamayu ditch, facing each other across the ditch. The museum is adjacent to the Majiayao ruins, lying prone in a wide depression on the east side of the site .

PUBLICATION

Architectural model of a sports stadium with an oval roof and surrounding seating areas.

The observatory is embedded under the flat roof on the south side of Bamayu ditch, overlooking the ruins, Taohe River and the alluvial plain between loess Gaoping and Taohe River. When I stood on the top of Laess Plateau for the first time, I was full of imagination. The unique geological and climatic environment of the western regions create a unique land art in the world; thousands of gullies like Bamayu canyon, run across the east and west, and resemble the uncanny workman ship of nature, scratching an the extensive Loess Plateau, accompanied by the water rushing to the Taohe River.

A satellite view of Majiyao Ruins, Majiyao Ruins Museum (phase 2), Bamayu Canyon, showing agricultural fields, a river, a small village, and surrounding landscape with roads and pathways.
A grayscale drawing of a mountainous landscape with a cliff on the left, a small structure on top of the cliff, and a larger structure in the valley on the right.
Modern concrete museum building with rounded shapes, large windows, and a balcony, surrounded by trees and people walking outdoors on a sunny day.
Modern building with curved roof structures near a pond, with trees and blue sky in the background.

On the north bank of these gullies, there are many terraces back against mountains and facing south and water. Majiayao site is located on such typical terrace, whichproves that our ancestors fully understood the natural, geological and climatic conditions: took full account of the sun location, built in the mountains while lived in the water, and avoided the wind and sun.

A modern, dome-shaped concrete building with steps leading to the entrance, surrounded by trees and a landscape in the background, with a few people near the building.
A black and white architectural model of a building with curved and angular elements, resting on a textured base.
Interior view of an abstract architectural space with curved and layered structures, circular openings, and small human figures.

Our design concept is inspired by the perception of the natural geological characteristics of Lintao County in Northwest China and the survival wisdom of our ancestors . It is also an experimental practice to explore the roots of regional climate and culture.The Ruins Museum is embedded in a relatively low section with a low expression attitude. It can be imagined that it was once a wetland of the Taohe River in ancient times.

Cross-sectional architectural rendering of a modern building with a curved roof, situated in a natural landscape with trees and distant hills.
Architectural site plan showing a building surrounded by trees and landscaped areas, with numbered sections and boundary lines.

First floor

6 LOBBY

7 RAMP

8 ATRIUM

9 CREVICE ATRIUM

10 ADITORIUM

1 EXHIBITION HALL

2 RESTROOM

3 OFFICE

4 MECHANICAL

5 TERRACE

11 BOOKSTORE / CAFE

12 COURTYARD

13 AMPHITHEATER

14 WATER GARDEN

15 GARDEN

Architectural floor plan on a dark background, showing various rooms and areas labeled with numbers.

Basement

The prototype of the museum is translated from the nests and caves inhabited by the ancient people, and takes the life experience of the pre historic people of Majiayao who took water from Bamayu ditch to build pottery as the spatial clue. It aims to shape the process of people walking from the square in front of the ruins site, through the museum and twists and turns to the ruins site with the help of a multi-dimensional and continuous zigzag ramp: This seems to be a reconstruction of the daily life experience of prehistoric people, and a regional practice integrating archaeology, anthropology, climatology and detailed understanding of the site.

Cross-sectional architectural rendering of a modern building with a curved roof, situated in a mountainous area with trees and terraced landscape in the background.
Interior view of a modern building with curved concrete and wooden architectural design, featuring multiple levels, stairs, and a few people walking through the space.
A split view of a rocky, mountainous landscape with a dirt path through a canyon on the left and a wide view of rugged hills on the right under a cloudy sky.
Interior view of a modern museum with curved, multi-level concrete walkways, large sculptures in display cases, and framed artworks on the walls, illuminated by natural light from high windows.
Black and white photo of an ancient rock-cut structure with multiple rectangular openings carved into a cliffside.
Interior of a modern museum with curved concrete walls, circular windows, and sculptures and artworks on display, with visitors exploring the space.
Modern architectural interior with curved concrete walls, staircase, and circular openings with natural light, featuring two women standing at different levels.
Interior of a modern building with curved, slate-gray walls and large openings letting in natural light. Two people are standing inside near an opening, one woman in black standing with her arms crossed and a man in the distance near the entrance.
Construction site with cranes and partially built structures, surrounded by trees and hills in the background, with construction materials and equipment scattered around.

Design Year: 2021-2022

Construction Years: 2023 - 2026

Total Floor Area: 4,295 sqm

Location:

Lintao, Gansu, China

Architecture, Interior and Landscape Design:

Studio Zhu Pei

Design Principal:

Zhu Pei

Design Team:

Mauro Pagliaretti, Zhang Shun, Liu Yian, Wang Junqi, Liu Ling,

Hong Meiying, Zhang Shuyuan, Xiao Tianzhi, Chen Moyu, Liu

Xinwen, Cong Xiaoyu, Li Yumeng, Gu Yuanzhen, Liu Pai