Xenario wins first prize in the international design competition for the East wing of the Shanghai Museum. The official stated goal is to create a new museum model and make the Shanghai Museum the world’s temple of ancient Chinese art. We accepted this challenge. Studying the various subjects, we couldn’t help thinking, under what circumstances were these works of art created? Which essential ideas are they invested in and how have these ideas guided the splendid History of Chinese culture? More importantly, how shall we appreciate these artworks today, interpret them, and what do they tell us about the present and even the future? How can our design inspire audiences to feel and resonate with these icons of culture?

We first put forward a question to each theme exhibition hall to spark the audience's curiosity. Passing through the ceremonial atmosphere of each preface hall, the audience enters the exhibition hall guided by seemingly simple but actually profound questions. A natural spatial layout presents a story-like experience; Scientific lighting perfectly renders the surface texture of cultural relics; Carefully integrated multimedia make cultural relics "come alive". We immerse the audience in the age of the artwork’s creation, inspire them to investigate their essence and understand the stories that animate them.

… and in the visitors’ active experience, this ancient art will live on and on.