MVRDV wins China Comic and Animation Museum competition

31 May 2011

Netherlands-based architect MVRDV has won the international competition for the US$ 132.5 million, 32000 m2 China Comic and Animation Museum in Hangzhou, China.

Netherlands-based architect MVRDV has won the international competition for the China Comic and Animation Museum (CCAM) in Hangzhou, China.

MVRDV's winning design is based around the "speech balloon" device comics use to show a character speaking. Eight "speech balloon" shaped buildings create an "internally complex museum experience" that covers over 32000m2.

The project also includes a series of parks on islands, a public plaza and a 13000m2 expo centre. Construction of the CNY 859 million (US$ 132.5 million) CCAM is expected to start in 2012.

The CCAM's 32000 m2 are divided into eight "volumes" that interconnect to allow a circular flow of visitors. The lobby, education facilities, three theatres/cinemas (with a total of 1111 seats) and a comic book library will occupy one "balloon" each.

Where two "balloons" touch a large opening allows access and views from one to the other. One of the balloons is devoted to interactive experiences that allow visitors to experiment with all sorts of animation techniques including like blue screen, stop motion, drawing, etc, with the core attraction of this space being a gigantic 3D zoetrope.

Most of the 13.7 ha site will be occupied by a new park on a series of islands in White Horse Lake. Reed beds will be used to improve water quality, while boat rides will offer an added attraction.

A separate 25000 m2 expo building will house large fairs and the annual China International Comic and Animation Festival (CICAF). Between the expo hall and the CCAM a public plaza will be act as the centre of the festival, which is China's largest cartoon and animation event.

The museum green credentials will be boosted by the use of ground storage, natural ventilation and adiabatic cooling, all focused towards giving it an "excellent" energy efficiency rating, according to the architect.

The MVRDV team includes Kossman.deJong exhibition architects, local architect Zhubo Architectural & Engineering Design, Arup engineers and JongeMeesters graphic design.