ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Shenzhen Natural History Museum Opens as Largest in Southern China

architecture-design · 2026-07-28

The Shenzhen Natural History Museum, a collaboration between 3XN, B+H Architects, and Zhubo Design, has officially opened its doors in Shenzhen, China. Covering an area exceeding 100,000 square meters, it stands as the largest natural history museum in southern China. This facility combines exhibition, research, education, and public areas. Its design includes a granite exterior, five conical structures for galleries, and a seamless landscape that connects to Yanzi Lake. The permanent exhibition features eight thematic galleries that explore the history of Earth. The design team focused on maintaining the original proposal's essence while fulfilling technical specifications. Furthermore, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, crafted by Frank Gehry, is set to launch on December 11, 2026, and SANAA will create the new Museo Nacional del Ecuador in Quito.

Key facts

  • Shenzhen Natural History Museum designed by 3XN, B+H Architects, and Zhubo Design has opened in Shenzhen, China.
  • The museum spans over 100,000 square meters, making it the largest natural history museum in southern China.
  • 3XN led architectural design; B+H acted as lead consultant, executive architect, and landscape architect; Zhubo provided local technical expertise.
  • The museum is situated beside Yanzi Lake and integrates with the Pearl River Delta landscape.
  • The building features a publicly accessible roof with sloping surfaces, terraces, and plazas connecting to an adjacent park.
  • Five conical volumes structure the main galleries, creating a continuous sequence of spaces.
  • The permanent exhibition includes eight thematic galleries covering Earth's history, with fossils, minerals, botany, zoology, and multimedia installations.
  • Exhibition design was developed with Atelier Brückner and Museum Studio.
  • The project preserves the spatial qualities of the original competition-winning proposal.
  • Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, designed by Frank Gehry, will open on December 11, 2026.
  • SANAA-led team selected to design the new Museo Nacional del Ecuador (MuNA) in Quito.
  • Crystal Bridges Museum in Arkansas unveiled an expansion by Safdie Architects and Coen+Partners.

Entities

Artists

  • Frank Gehry
  • Kim Herforth Nielsen
  • Nan Zhaoxu
  • Adam Mørk

Institutions

  • 3XN
  • B+H Architects
  • Zhubo Design
  • Atelier Brückner
  • Museum Studio
  • Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
  • Guggenheim
  • SANAA
  • Museo Nacional del Ecuador (MuNA)
  • Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
  • Safdie Architects
  • Coen+Partners
  • Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism
  • Shenzhen Natural History Museum
  • Guggenheim network
  • Department of Culture and Tourism (Abu Dhabi)
  • Dezeen
  • designboom

Locations

  • Shenzhen
  • China
  • Yanzi Lake
  • Pearl River Delta
  • Abu Dhabi
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Ecuador
  • Quito
  • Arkansas
  • United States
  • South China
  • Pingshan District

Sources