The design for this small museum of Chinese ancient pottery takes its form from the simple, vernacular shape of a house – walls with a gabled roof. This shape can be commonly found in China in both residential and commercial uses, and in ancient and contemporary times. By taking a highly recognizable form, the museum subtly fits into the Chines landscape. The approach to the museum displays this shape. Upon entering, however, this simple shape modifies into a geometrical hexagon. In this way, the museum both fits into common perception and defies them. The expanded shape also allows for programmatic needs, and one shape grows into three in order to accommodate the program of the building. The shape and siting of the building takes full advantage of the slope of the site. From the higher south elevation, the building reveals only the recognizable long, warehouse shape. As the site slopes, the true nature of the hexagonal shape of the building is fully displayed. The slender shape of the building allows it to fit seamlessly into the park landscape. The structure is poured on-site concrete, with the board form of the concrete displaying the texture of local bamboo weaving. This texture can also be found only in many of the works of ancient pottery that will be displayed. Throughout the building in the exterior, interior and furniture, only three materials – concrete, dark wood, and glass are used, reinforcing the simple and essential nature of the building.

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