Wolf D. Prix's firm Coop Himmelb(l)au has won a competition to design a new science and technology museum in Xingtai, which is the oldest city in northern China. Himmelb(l)au takes cues from the dynamic approach of the scientific development in China and reflects this phenomenon with the dynamic and flowing form. 

Organized by China Building Centre (CBC), the winners were announced in July with twin winning designs for the Xingtai Grand Theatre by Snøhetta and the Xingtai Science and Technology Museum by Coop Himmelb(l)au.

Himmelb(l)au's design intends to emphasise Xingtai’s role as a scientific and technological hotspot in the province of Hebei. Building up on Xingtais history of astronomers, engineers and other scientists, the project reflects past, current and future approaches of cutting edge economic, ecologic and building technologies. 

The building is designed with new structural concepts, hosting plus energy systems and is designed to display the rich Chinese traditional culture, showcasing scientific and technological achievements the city, the province and China has offer. 

The science and technology museum will be built into a new landmark of Xingtai Science and Technology, shaping the future city of Xingdong New District's ecological humanities.

The design sublimates the concept of traditional Chinese gardens into three dimensions and transforms the exhibition space into a container that can create a space in three dimensions. 

Through the walking and moving of the visitors in the exhibition hall, the exhibition installation works and the surrounding space environment are watched, in which in turn leads to the viewer's thinking. Produce irregular external architectural formal language, create functional sculptures that cannot be ignored and brand new landmark cultural buildings.

Sitting on an undulating base, the floating building acts as both the reminiscent of the past and an innovative, bold medium of the current and future. The floating part of the structure will also be able to be used as a billboard screen through its giant public face. 

All images courtesy of Coop Himmelb(l)au

> via Coop Himmelb(l)au