The capital of Sichuan province in southwest China, Chengdu is the nation’s leading incubator of science fiction writing.

Launching the careers of many of the country’s most renowned authors, ‘Science Fiction World’ magazine has been published in the city since 1979 and is the genre’s most popular periodical worldwide.

Surrounded by mountain ranges and forests, Chengdu cultivated a unique local culture rooted in its rich history. The city has grown to over 20 million residents and become important global center of scientific innovation and research.

Integrating with the natural landscapes surrounding Jingrong Lake, the museum’s design defines nodes of activity connected by pedestrian routes that extend from the city and adjacent metro station through the surrounding parkland into the heart of the building; creating a journey of discovery that weaves between indoor and outdoor plazas at multiple levels to link the museum’s exhibition galleries, educational facilities, cafes and other amenities.

The fluid forms of the roof radiate from a central point within, emulating an expanding nebula cloud with a star at its center – transforming the museum into a ‘star cloud’ that disperses energy fields into its many different zones; guiding visitors through a portal that connects our lived experience with our imagination.

Meeting the highest 3 Star standards of China’s Green Building Program, digital modelling analysis has maximized efficiencies in composition, site conditions, solar irradiation and structure. Natural hybrid ventilation optimizes Chengdu’s mild subtropical while photovoltaics embedded within the museum's shading roof canopy contribute to meeting the building's energy demand.

Landscaped with plants native to the region, the design collects and stores rainwater for natural filtration and reuse, enabling Jingrong Lake to become an integral part of Chengdu’s sustainable drainage system that will mitigate flooding and increase biodiversity throughout the city.