Submitted by WA Contents Also Architects creates art museum made of umbrella-like bamboo structures and undulating fabric China Architecture News - Apr 21, 2025 - 11:07   html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd" Also Architects has created an art museum made of umbrella-like bamboo structures and white undulating fabric at the R-Day Music Festival in Chengmai, Hainan, China.Named Urban Nomad Art Museum, the modular structures, spanning 350 square meters, create a temporary yet dynamic cultural exchange hub for the Urban Nomad Art Museum along the coastal shores of Chengmai, Hainan. The main design challenge was to ensure fast assembly, simple disassembly, and adaptable reconfiguration for sustainable reuse while also seamlessly fitting in with the museum's philosophy of "borderless curation." The project aims to go beyond its transient nature by using a creative modular strategy that fosters profound cultural resonance within its constrained timeline and provides flexible opportunities for future uses in a variety of situations.Resonance in SyncAs sound waves move through a medium as mechanical vibrations, various frequencies combine to create intricate aural experiences. Resonance, which is not limited to the physical world but also manifests in human emotions and social interactions, is the result of items sharing a common inherent frequency. This phenomenon promotes a feeling of comprehension and connection. Also Architects has created a number of modular art works based on the idea of "sound waves," taking inspiration from this phenomenon. Invisible vibration frequencies are converted into a concrete, open spatial field by the design, which mimics the shape and path of sound diffusion and propagation.The umbrella-like structures represent the resonance of sound and the connections made via shared emotions as they rise and converge in space like musical notes. These installations encourage people to come together, discover the power of vibration, and open up countless opportunities for communication and connection in a public setting.  While the undulating cloth at the top represents changes in vibration frequency, the umbrella-like structures' hexagonal contours replicate the concentric waveforms of sound dispersal. The three main configurations of the modular units—linear arrays, circular enclosures, and flexibly scattered layouts—allow them to be tailored to various functional requirements. These installations were put together to create a marketplace and a forum area during the R-Day Music Festival, specifically designed to fit the lively vibe of the event.Cyclical Construction Bamboo was selected as the main material for the Urban Nomad Art Museum due to its adaptable Eastern beauty as well as its innate ecological philosophy, which reflects the designers' consideration of a temporary structure's entire lifecycle. The symbiotic relationship between natural materials and industrial logic is embodied in the structural design: In order to achieve a balance between firmness and flexibility, the bamboo ribs are curved using heat-bending processes, while a central steel ring acts as a fixed structural anchor in the core. Bamboo's inherent pliability enables flowing, smooth arcs, and precisely designed modular connections precisely link it to metal components. The tightly stretched cloth canopy is more than just a cover; pre-applied tensile stresses through steel tubing give it a funnel-like shape that gives it a suspended appearance. Intentional holes in the fabric let sunshine and sea air through while reducing wind pressure disruptions. A temporary pavilion that is both sculptural and breathable is the product of the dynamic balance achieved by the interaction of steel, bamboo, and fabric. In addition to ensuring effective modular assembly, lightweight metal connectors enable possible reconfiguration in various locations. After the music festival is over, the constructions will be broken down into separate parts. The bamboo parts will be turned into urban furniture, and the cloth will be recycled into creative and cultural goods.By converting art into a recyclable cultural medium, this "reversible construction" idea frees it from the curse of single-use consumption. This strategy is in line with the ecological knowledge of nomadic societies, where giving and taking are balanced.Contextual Adaptation The design of these installations translates nomadic culture into tangible spatial strategies: The arrangement adjusts to different functional requirements by changing array densities, rotating angles, and module counts. A semi-sheltered passage is created in the market area by a continuous canopy of modular units. The acoustic environment in the performance area is improved by the reflective surfaces created by the staggered modules. Sea breezes can easily flow through the loosely laid-out relaxing area. Together, the market, lounge, gathering, and exhibition spaces create a comprehensive creative and lifestyle experience that is both connected and unique. This adaptable strategy guarantees flexibility for a range of roles in future contexts in addition to accommodating on-site modifications in real time. The geometric order of the hexagonal module itself conveys inclusion and fluidity, embodying the spatial aesthetics of migratory civilizations. One of nature's most effective geometries, the hexagonal form is seen in turtle shells and honeycombs. It represents both the natural ability to disassemble and reassemble as well as logical order. These modular installations reimagine how art travels and flourishes across geographies, much how nomadic tribes shift with the seasons and easily reassemble their tents into houses on new pastures.These disassembled bamboo modules, which hold the memory of sea breezes, will be put back together to create new cultural landscapes in various towns after the festival's energy wanes. Modularity is the architecture that enables art to continuously change; it is not a sterile industrial phrase. It doesn't aim for permanence, but every time it moves, it has meaningful conversations with new people and locations.  Finding lighter, more flexible methods for art to exist is at the heart of the Urban Nomad Art Museum's work. This approach to sustainable building might be the key to reintegrating public art into daily life.Project factsProject name: Urban Nomad Art MuseumCuratorial institution: R-Day Music Festival & Urban Nomad Art MuseumCurator: Ottavio ZhangProject location: HaikouProject area: 350m2Event time: January 2025Design Team: Valo Xiao, Ziming Ye, Jane Zhang, April LoLighting design: WOY LightingConstruction unit: Innovbamboo Architectural Technology Co., Ltd.Main materials: Bamboo, MetalAll images © INSPACE.Drawing © Also Architects.> via Also Architects