What does it feel like when an individual delves into the past in the present through physical manifestation where each wall narrates the stories that shaped the city’s identity?
Imagine a city as a person. It’s building-like fingerprints where each building delineates a distinct story- unique and rooted.
Museums are not just solid structures, consisting of ancient artefacts but a narration of ancient civilization, where the city’s memory is stored with pride through a thoughtful design process. It shares an intangible journey through time that is not just seen, but felt, as the stories etched into the architecture resonate deeply, creating a living museum of human experience and heritage.
From an architectural perspective, museums are built environments that establish the connection between people and places’ history in an intangible way, often serving as mirrors of history through their design. They can be structures that not only safeguard the past for future generations but also embody it through their architectural elements. These buildings often integrate traces of history with modern design, creating spaces where the past and present coexist in harmony, and where architecture becomes a narrative of cultural continuity.
Here’s an illustration that not only promotes the historical legacy of the city but also offers a unique connection between ancient ruins and the urban context.
The City Under City Museum: Safeguarding the Ruins
Imagine walking through the lively surface of the urban landscape of Xuzhou, A city where modernity safeguards the ancient dynasties. A place where history is not just stored but also seen and experienced. The City Under City museum is a live illustration of an architectural archive that invites an individual to go back in time and dig into the ancient past of the city. The museum has been designed by the visionary ARTS Group which is the gateway to another era.
In the modern context, this subterranean museum is an unparalleled urban insert that is subtly integrated into the urban fabric of Xuzhou with a minimalistic approach. It seamlessly blends in with the current urban landscape, adding depth and subtlety without forcing a new structure upon the cityscape.
The inside of the museum consists of a sequence of interconnected spaces that flow naturally from one to the next, symbolising the unbroken historical thread that stretches throughout Xuzhou’s past. The atmosphere of an archaeological excavation is evoked by the use of raw materials like stone and concrete, which furthers the impression that this is a place where history is actively being unearthed rather than merely displayed.
Throughout the museum, natural light is carefully utilised. Light from light wells and skylights filters down to brighten the underground areas. As visitors wander around the museum, the dynamic environment created by the play of light and shadow draws attention to the forms and textures of the building while also heightening their sensation of discovery.
You’re not merely leaving a building when you exit the City Under City Museum; rather, you’re coming out of an experience that has altered your perception of Xuzhou and its past. This museum wants you to do more than just peruse its exhibits; it urges you to immerse yourself in the narrative of a city, delve into its depths, and bring that history back with you as you ascend back to the contemporary world.
In retrospect, The City Under City Museum is ultimately a voyage through time, a dialogue between the ancient and the present, and a potent reminder that history is not something that is limited to the past. It is more than just an architectural wonder. It is waiting to be found right here, under our feet. Furthermore, history is alive, energetic, and integral to both the past and the present at this museum.
References:
- ARTS Group. (2023) ‘City Under City Museum,’ ArchDaily. Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/999263/city-under-city-museum-arts-group
