In the Chinese district of Datong, the construction of an Art Museum under the Foster + Partners project has been completed.

The Datong Museum is located on the territory of the new cultural quarter, which also has three other major creative centers. The building was conceived as an «urban living room» that brings people, art and artists together in a space where they can interact.

The museum’s galleries are partially submerged underground, and their roofs form four interconnected pyramids resembling the rocky peaks of the mountains. They are surrounded by landscaped squares and an open-air amphitheater.

Foster + Partners architects decided to make an underground museum in order to reduce its scale and thereby harmoniously fit into the surrounding landscape. Moreover, the pyramids are lined with Korten steel and practically merge with the ground.

The steel plates are arranged linearly and help to drain water. In addition, windows are hidden in each of the peaks, which let in natural light during the day, and illuminate the public square at night. These skylights are oriented only to the north and northwest to minimize the penetration of direct sunlight and create a comfortable environment for art.

At the entrance to the museum, visitors enter a large gallery — a space for large-scale works of art, performances and events with a ceiling height of 37 m and a span of 80 m. Around the hall there is a number of small exhibition areas, as well as a media library, an archive, storage rooms, a cafe and a restaurant. In addition, the museum has a special gallery and an educational center for children.