The Hainan Science Museum recently opened in Haikou, China. This 46,528-square-meter (500,823-square-foot) building is a center for science and technology education. It was designed by Ma Yansong from MAD architects and sits next to the Wuyuan River National Wetland Park.
From the outside, the museum looks like a soft, cloud-like shape. Its facade is made from 843 fiber-reinforced plastic panels. Each panel is designed to handle Hainan's tropical weather. The building's silver surface reflects the sky, changing with the clouds and time of day.
Design for Exploration
Three concrete cores support the museum's main weight. This design means the gallery floors don't need inner columns, creating large, open exhibition spaces. The museum's structure extends over reflecting pools and a covered plaza. This creates public areas where people can gather without entering the museum.
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Inside, the museum has a planetarium, a giant-screen theater, and exhibition zones. It also features outdoor teaching plots with local plant species. Visitors take an elevator to the top exhibition level. From there, they follow a wide, gently sloping ramp that spirals around a central open space.
A large roof opening lets daylight into this central area, keeping the path well-lit. On one side, tall windows offer views of the surrounding greenery. On the other side, the path passes various galleries and activity spaces.
Ma Yansong explained that he wanted the project to feel like "flow and chaos." He believes space, function, and knowledge should blend freely. He noted that since AI can answer most questions, a science museum's role is now to teach children how to ask questions, not just give facts.
This idea shapes the museum's open exhibition layout. Topics flow into each other, encouraging visitors to explore and make connections rather than follow a strict lesson plan.
Connecting to Local Innovation
The museum is part of a larger scientific environment. Hainan Island is home to China’s coastal space launch center on its eastern shore. This center has launched dozens of missions to orbit, the Moon, and Mars since 2016. The new museum connects these achievements to a local story. It is located near more than 30 schools and kindergartens.
Deep Dive & References: MAD
