TANKA SHELF

Guangzhou, China   11/2015
Donghao Canal Musuem





The project is a museum locates upon the ancient Donghao Canal and under the Donghao viaduct in Guangzhou. For thousands of years, the canal witnesses the changes taking place in Guangzhou, the prosper and the disappearance of Tanka cultural (The Tanka is an ethnic subgroup who have traditionally lived on junks in coastal parts in Southern China). However, under aggressive urbanization, the canal is losing its once important position in citizens' life. The modern construction drives the canal space to confront with multiple problems such as oppression under the bridge, floods occur during rainy season and stifled vitality.
The museum displays the history of Donghao Canal and the culture of Tanka people. I adopted the form of Tanka houses and input traditional activities like drama opera and small commerce along the canal to revitalize the canal and the odd space under the bridge. Using steel frame to build flexibly, the design can adapt itself to the future development of the city.



Development History of Donghao Canal