National Museum of China / gmp Architekten

The reconstruction and expansion of the National Museum of China in Beijing, joins former China Museum of History and the revolutionary Chinese Mu-seum. Originally built in 1959 as one of ten major public buildings of Tiananmen Square, the structure remains a landmark in the history of modern architecture in the country, blending elements of Chinese architectural tradition with Western language of neoclassical architecture .

Eleven international offices were invited to participate in the contest for the reconstruction and expansion of this building, which was won by architects von Gerkan, Marg & Partners (GMP)In association with the office CABR Beijing.

In October 2004, GMP and CABR began designing the project, beating renowned offices such as Foster + Partners, Kohn Pedders Fox, OMA and Herzog & de Meuron.

After long meetings with the client, the design scheme was designed to adapt to the new building to the existing façade, ensuring harmony between old and new, without losing their individual autonomy.

The typology of the stepped roof of the buildings in Tiananmen Square was updated in the new building, differing in details and materials.

Likewise, the columns and windows style typical of existing building are translated into the new building through a contemporary formal language.

The final design was completed in 2006, starting construction a year later. The reconstruction of the existing building was completed in 2009 and the total project in early 2011.

This museum, with its 191,900 m², is the largest in the world and aims to show in detail the history and art of one of the oldest cultures of mankind.