OPEN Architecture is set to make a striking addition to the coastal landscape of Yantai, China. According to New Atlas, the Chinese architectural firm's "extraterrestrial-looking" creation, the Space Crystal, is poised to become an architectural marvel.
Space Crystal: The Extraterrestrial-Like Object in China
Located on a hill amid a grove of trees, the Space Crystal is likened to an extraterrestrial-like object that landed in a park. The building is hosting a space-themed museum and exhibition areas inside.
The crystalline structure's distinctive black exterior is composed of photovoltaic glass panels that function similarly to solar panels, significantly reducing the building's reliance on the electrical grid.
Upon arrival, guests will encounter a projecting entrance leading to a spacious, multifaceted atrium with natural light from overhead skylights.
From this juncture, a winding ramp ascends, linking various exhibition spaces on the upper floors, each drawing inspiration from the enigmas of space. Ultimately, crowning the Space Crystal, an open-air terrace will unveil sweeping vistas of the adjacent coastline.
OPEN Architecture cited how visitors can catch a glimpse of an "unusual black object perched upslope of a grassy spot" through the gaps in between trees. The company highlighted the building's enigmatic allure, attributed to the photovoltaic glass.
The principal entryway graces the southern facade, where the structure reaches its furthest point. Furthermore, the black-box theater and café boast separate access points, ensuring public accessibility even during museum closure.
Sea Square in China
Parallel to the Space Crystal endeavor, OPEN Architecture is also at the helm of the Sea Square project, nestled nearer to the water's edge. Utilizing the foundations of a time-worn fishing boat dock and repair center, this inventive edifice appears to levitate above an expansive open square.
Fashioned from locally procured granite and glass, it is poised to become a focal point for locals, housing an array of cultural and recreational amenities, including a library, restaurant, coffee shop, and playing host to routine events and markets.
The original jetty and boat repair dock will also be reinvigorated, morphing into a paved communal square for traditional fishing village festivities, according to New Atlas' report.
The Space Crystal and the Sea Square projects are progressing swiftly and are slated for completion by 2026.
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The Sun Tower
Additionally, OPEN Architecture recently celebrated a significant milestone with the topping out of the Sun Tower on June 21, 2023. This 50-meter-tall structure, nestled by the Yantai sea, is poised to be open to the public in 2024.
The Sun Tower, an architectural ode to sunlight and nature, employs a unique design philosophy.
Its inner and outer white concrete shells are interconnected by horizontal slabs and ramps, forming a robust yet delicate structure.
Round apertures in the outer shell are linked to various light tubes, channeling natural light into the inner spaces during the day. By night, these same windows will emit a warm, star-like glow from within.
The Sun Tower is set to become an emblematic structure hosting a blend of cultural programs. It will house exhibitions, libraries, meditation spaces, and an outdoor theater, all designed to be inclusive and open to the city and its inhabitants.
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