Yuan Museum, Beijing, China

The Yuan Museum is an initiative undertaken by Zeng Fanzhi, one of China’s most celebrated contemporary artists, who intends to establish the preeminent venue in China for the exhibition and pedagogical presentation of Western art in the figurative tradition.  Tadao Ando Architects are designing the 10,000 sm building on the site of a mixed-use development in the Embassy District.  The building, with galleries on 5 levels as well as a multi-media theater, arts library, café and shop, occupies a privileged position next to a new park alongside a canal; a series of sculpture terraces will connect the museum’s galleries to the densely planted grounds.

Museoplan is assisting the project development team for the Yuan in its review of the architectural project with special emphasis on the functionality of gallery configurations, art installation strategies, lighting systems and essential back of house support spaces. Museoplan is also working directly with the Yuan to establish an organizational model for the new museum, including institutional administration and staffing, exhibition planning, development strategies and programming for ancillary cultural events.

2013 –

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.