Snøhetta's proposal has won the competition to build an art museum on the banks of the Qiantang River in the Xiaoshan district of Hangzhou. Covering 18,000 m², this building is the centrepiece of an ambitious urban development project.

The design is inspired by the fluidity of water and the connecting function of a bridge. The museum consists of two undulating volumes that evoke the movement of the river and intertwine the pedestrian walkways. The paths guide visitors to the main entrance and to a viewpoint offering views of the natural and urban surroundings.

The winding paths are the hallmark of the project. To the north, a peaceful walkway crosses a river landscape, ascending to the upper walkable part; to the east, elevated walkways link the museum to the city. Inside, the exhibition halls are located at the heart of the building, surrounded by large public spaces for education and community gatherings. Snøhetta thus conceives an architecture based on the distinctive context that acts as a bridge between nature and the city.