The mesmerizing Chengdu Science Fiction Museum, located in the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China, features a stunning seven-point metallic star floating on the glassy surface of a lake. Its futuristic design evokes images of a far-flung civilization or a spaceship landing on an alien planet. This avant-garde structure, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, is a testament to the power and allure of science fiction.
The museum’s dynamic roof, resembling the sloping mountains in the distance, and its cloud-like canopy, with cantilever arches suspended above seamless glass panes, create an ever-changing and unexpected visual experience from every angle. According to Paulo Flores, one of the project directors, this unconventional design was intentional, designed to captivate and surprise visitors.
What’s even more impressive than the museum’s design is the time it took to bring it to life. The project was commissioned in 2022 to host this year’s 81st annual World Science Fiction Convention. Typically, a building of this size and complexity would take four to five years to complete. However, the Chengdu Science Fiction Museum, spanning 59,000 square-meters and three times the size of the Sydney Opera House, was conceived and finished in just 12 months.
Nicknamed “The Time Tunnel,” a multimedia corridor connects different areas of the museum, enhancing the visitor experience. This ultra-fast construction timeline was a dream come true for Paulo Flores and his team. “Science fiction has always been a very important source of inspiration for our designs,” said Flores. They wanted to be part of shaping the future visually and technologically.
Zaha Hadid Architects is known for its expertise in digital design, and the firm utilized advanced technology to create and execute this ambitious project. Polygonal modeling software allowed for the creation of intricate geometries that would otherwise be impossible. Just two weeks after winning the competition, construction began, thanks to various design software and digital modeling analysis that ensured everyone involved was on the same page.
Satoshi Ohashi, another project director, noted that the parallel construction and design process would not have been possible without these new tools. Digital modeling analysis also helped optimize the building’s structure for Chengdu’s climate. By analyzing weather and environmental parameters, the team made informed decisions about the size and angle of the roof overhang to provide shade and protection from direct sunlight.
The museum incorporates green technology to minimize its environmental impact. Solar panels embedded in the expansive roof generate power for the building, while skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows reduce the need for artificial lighting during the day. To save time, the team sourced materials locally and developed a modular aluminum panel system that streamlined production.
Chengdu is an ideal location for the Science Fiction Museum, as it is already a hub for the science fiction industry. The city topped China’s new first-tier cities list, reflecting its rapid growth and integration of science, technology, and the future into its economy. The museum is part of the larger Chengdu Future Science and Technology City development, which aims to foster innovation through new universities, laboratories, and offices.
The museum opened on schedule to host the 81st World Science Fiction Convention, becoming the first time Worldcon has been held in China and only the second time in Asia. The event organizers praised the museum as the best facility in the history of Worldcon, highlighting the significance of having a purpose-built location for such an event. This successful bid solidifies Chengdu’s status as China’s science fiction capital and sets the stage for the city’s ambitious future.
Sources: [1](https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/chengdu-science-fiction-museum-zaha-hadid-intl-hnk-scli/index.html) [2](https://arch-exist.com/project/science-fiction-museum/)
