Project Name: UCCA Clay Museum

Location: Yixing, China

Design Team: Kengo Kuma & Associates

Area: 3,437 m²

Completion: 2024

Photographers: Fangfang Tian, Eiichi Kano

Feature：

Project - Japanese architect Kengo Kuma has unveiled a sculptural ceramics museum in Yixing, China, featuring an undulating form clad in hand-glazed terracotta panels that pays homage to the region's millennium-old pottery tradition.

The UCCA Clay Museum, completed in 2024, emerges from its post-industrial context as a contemporary interpretation of both the local landscape and architectural vernacular. Situated on the former grounds of traditional pottery factories, the 3,437-square-metre structure serves as a cultural bridge between Yixing's rich ceramic heritage and its future as a hub for artistic innovation.

The museum's most striking feature is its mountain-like silhouette, which draws inspiration from two significant local references: the historic Shushan Mountain, celebrated in Northern Song dynasty literature, and the traditional "dragon kilns" that have fired pottery in the region for over six centuries. This dual reference creates a powerful architectural narrative that anchors the building in both the physical and cultural landscape of Yixing.

The structure's complex geometry is achieved through an innovative inverted shell roof, characterized by virtual sphere-carved surfaces supported by a sophisticated four-layer wooden lattice beam system. This engineering solution not only provides structural integrity but also creates a series of dramatic interior spaces that guide visitors through the museum's exhibitions.

Developed in close collaboration with local artisans, the exterior is composed of custom-made ceramic panels featuring varied glazing techniques that create subtle color gradations. These panels respond dynamically to changing light conditions, producing an ever-shifting visual experience that mirrors the transformative nature of the ceramic firing process.

The building's form is strategically punctured to establish meaningful connections with its surroundings, creating sight lines and physical links to the adjacent pottery factory and canal. The materiality of the facade panels – warm and slightly textured – offers a tactile experience reminiscent of traditional Chinese tea ware, transforming the building envelope into a large-scale ceramic vessel that houses and celebrates the very craft it represents.

Design Team - Founded in 1990 by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, Kengo Kuma and Associates (KKAA) has established itself as a global leader in thoughtful, context-driven design. With a team of highly skilled professionals across offices in Tokyo, Paris, Beijing, and Shanghai, the firm has completed innovative projects in over 40 countries, seamlessly blending architecture with the natural environment.

Kengo Kuma 's design philosophy emphasizes a deep connection to place, using natural materials and sensitive interventions to craft buildings that elevate the human experience while respecting local cultures and ecologies. From large-scale cultural institutions to intimate residential retreats, KKAA's portfolio showcases a mastery of scale and typology, united by a commitment to sustainability and an innate understanding of how architecture can foster meaningful relationships between people and their surroundings.

With Kengo Kuma at the helm, KKAA continues to push the boundaries of contemporary architecture, integrating innovative technologies and traditional craftsmanship to realize visionary designs that redefine the role of the built environment. As the firm enters its fourth decade, its reputation for excellence and innovation continues to grow, solidifying its position as a global leader in the field.