Perkins+Will to Build Science Museum in Suzhou, China

Perkins+Will, the American architecture firm with over 30 years of presence in Asia, has been commissioned to design the Museum of Science and Technology in Suzhou, China. The museum will be built at the foot of Lion Mountain, near Shishan Lake, and its design is inspired by a scarf—a local specialty—wrapped around itself, connected via walkways to artificial ecological islands that filter river water. A surrounding forest called Life-Giving Forest will act as a green lung and protect visitors from solar radiation. The project aims to attract tourists from across China and Asia, creating an oasis for residents. Ralph Johnson, Global Design Director of Perkins+Will, stated the design acknowledges Suzhou's historical commercial importance and its emerging role as a technology leader. The firm, founded in 1935 by Lawrence Perkins and Philip Will, now has over 20 offices worldwide. Its recent major projects include the Shanghai Natural History Museum (2015), inspired by a nautilus. Perkins+Will also participated in the controversial competition for the Arena di Verona covering.