courtesy CreatAR Images / Agovision
“The warm glow is like a kiln would look.” —Juror Likhitha Rangaswamy, Oculus Design Studio, Seattle
Located in the Chinese city known as the porcelain capital of the world, the Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Museum occupies the site of the Imperial Kiln ruins, which is recognized by UNESCO. The museum’s architecture pays homage to Chinese handicraft by employing brick vaults based on the traditional form of the kiln, which combine ancient masonry methods with modern building technologies. The resulting light and thin arch structures are either open or glazed at the ends, blurring the lines between indoors and out.
The lighting strategy by Dongning Wang aims to preserve the simplicity of form and purity of space by concealing fixtures from view. Drawing inspiration from the smoke holes in ancient kilns, the designer inserted openings in the arched structures that either allow natural light to penetrate or are outfitted with artificial lighting for exhibitions. Close collaboration was necessary between the lighting designer, architect, and engineer to determine the lighting layout in relation to the structural design of the brick vaults.
courtesy CreatAR Images / Agovision
The Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Museum is located in the center of the historical area of Jingdezhen, which is known as the “porcelain capital" of the world.
courtesy CreatAR Images / Agovision
Traditional smoke holes used in ancient kiln design are adapted to bring in natural light or to hide artificial light sources.
courtesy CreatAR Images / Agovision
Light slots are reserved on the drainage ditch between the arch wall and ground. The warm lighting infuses the lower wall to create a welcoming atmosphere.
courtesy CreatAR Images / Agovision
The museum features more than six brick vaults that vary in size and curvature based on the traditional form of the kiln.
courtesy CreatAR Images / Agovision
Details
Project Name: Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Museum
Location: Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province, China
Client/Owner: Jingdezhen Municipal Bureau of Culture Radio Television Press Publication and Tourism, Jingdezhen Ceramic Culture Tourism Group
Lighting Designer: Dongning Wang, Honglei Wang, Zhenmei Cui, Jinlong Liang, Kun Teng, Guofeng Zhang
Architect: Studio Zhu-Pei, Tsinghua University Architecture Design Research
Photographer: Shengliang Su, Achranimage
Project Size: 10,400 square feet
Project Cost: $20 million
Lighting Cost: $720,000
Watts per Square Foot: 0.226
Code Compliance: GB50034-2013
Lighting Product Manufacturers: WAC Lighting, Geosheen, Huashi, Shylon
