2021 brings many new developments, including museums opening their doors. The new proposals make the experience not only about the exhibitions and the content, but also about the building. Despite the pandemic situation and mobility restrictions, these museums are attractions to consider as soon as we can travel again.
In 2020 we introduced you to the new architectural jewel museums, now it is the turn of 2021.
Hong Kong M+: the jewel in the crown of the West Kowloon Cultural District
Hong Kong’s M+ is a museum of visual culture, thus going beyond contemporary art. Inside you will find elements of 20th and 21st century visual culture and it is housed in one of the most sustainable buildings in East Asia.
Atrium of the M+ Museum in Hong Kong
Its construction is the largest development project in the West Kowloon Cultural District. Although its building is still under construction, it was operated from the M Pavilion, which will remain active once the main building is completed.
The M+, aware of the restrictions and the global situation, wanted to add a lot of its offerings to itswebsite, as well as attend online events or participate in workshops.
Exterior view of the M+ Museum in Hong Kong
The building was designed by Farrells, the firm of Sir Terry Farrell, who not only designed the M+ but also conceived the West Kowloon cultural district. In addition, the visual culture museum project has been designed by Herzog & De Meuren and OveArup and Partners.
It is scheduled to open in autumn 2021.
Address: Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui, West Kowloon Cultural District
Munch Museum in Oslo (Norway): a safe and improved space for the creator of the ‘Scream’.
The Munch Museum (Munchmuseet) will be dedicated to Norway’s most celebrated artist: Edvard Munch. Its location is close to Bjørvika Bay in a building designed by the Spaniard Juan Herreros.
Exterior of the Munch Museum in Oslo
The museum dedicated to the famous artist has been in existence since 1963, in a building in Tøyen. This building had to be modified after the theft in 2004 of Munch’s two most important works , “The Scream” and “Madonna”, which were recovered after two years.
Another perspective of the Munch Museum
This new museum will be one of the largest dedicated to a single artist. It will have 11 exhibition halls. The museum’s total collection consists of 42,000 works and objects. In addition, the building conceived by Juan Herreros is included in the Future Built programme, which is promoted by the Oslo region for the construction of buildings of high architectural quality and a 50% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in transport, energy use and material use compared to similar buildings. With the new building, Munch’s legacy will finally have a space at its own height that will ensure the protection of the works. The new space will also allow for rotating exhibitions of other artists.
Its construction was due to be completed in autumn 2020 but was postponed to spring 2021.
Address: Edvard Munchs Plass 1: Edvard Munchs Plass 1, Sørenga, Oslo, Norway.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Pudong Art Museum in Shanghai (China): a first-rate venture
The Pudong Art Museum in Shanghai is part of a state plan to revitalise China’s arts and culture. This new museum could not have a better location: it is next to the Yangtzey River next to the Oriental Pearl Tower. Part of the façade facing the river will be made of glass, so that the interior of the museum can be visible from the outside.
Its architect is Jean Nouvel, known for other works such as the recent Sharaan Hotel in Arabia and other museums such as the Louvre in Abu Dhabi and the National Museum of Qatar.
View of the façade of the Pudong Museum of Art from the river
The Pudong Museum of Art has an agreement with the British Tate Modern to provide the first international exhibition after completing the construction of the museum. Additionally, this UK institution will guide the educational programs and oversee the exhibitions as it has experience in its four museums in its homeland.
Opening: to be determined
Address: unknown
Avicii Experience in Stockholm (Sweden): embark on discovering Avicii’s legacy
The Avicii Experience will pay tribute to the late Swedish DJ Tim Bergling, known by his stage name Avicii. This space will be part of the SPACE complex, which aims to act as a center for digital culture in the Nordic country with facilities for gaming, creation, content, etc. This space will be located in the central Sergels Torg.
This tribute to Avicii will feature memorabilia, photographs and previously unreleased music in an immersive experience of the Swedish DJ’s musical career.
Lobby of Space, where The Avicii Experience will be held.
Part of the proceeds will go to the Tim Bergling Foundation, which focuses on raising awareness about mental illness and suicide, especially among young people. The foundation also supports the fight against global hunger and climate change and the protection of endangered species.
Opening: mid-November 2021.
Address: Sergels Torg, Stockholm (Sweden)
New Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Odense (Denmark), a dream museum
The Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Odense (Denmark) is made up of different spaces dedicated to the famous Danish writer. There is the existing HC Andersen Museum, the birthplace, his childhood home and Møntergården, the town museum. In addition, the new museum, also called the House of Fairy Tales, is scheduled to open in 2021. All these spaces are closed until further notice due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The architects who have conceived this new space are Kengo Kuma together with Cornelius + Vöge, while the landscape architects have been MASU Planning.
Exterior of the new HC Andersen Museum
Kengo Kuma conceived this space as a series of cylindrical constructions with glass and wood facades, with excavated and green roofs. The main motif of this space is Andersen’s famous fables such as The Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid and The Tin Soldier.
Two thirds of the building is underground, thus allowing for more outdoor space.
Opening date: summer 2021
Address: H.C. Andersen Haven 1, 5000 Odense, Denmark.
The Great Egyptian Museum at Giza (Egypt), the world’s great treasure trove of Egyptian archaeology
Finally, after several years, the Great Egyptian Museum of Giza (GEM) will be able to open. The museum was conceived in 1992, but construction did not begin until a decade later. Funding problems and the revolution slowed down its completion, which was scheduled for 2020, and because of the pandemic has been delayed by a year.
Exterior view of the Great Egyptian Museum at Giza
The GEM will be the largest archaeological museum in the world. It will cover 480,000m2 and will contain 100,000 pieces from Ancient Egypt, 3,500 of them belonging to Tutankhamun.
The building that will house this museum was designed by the Irish firm Heneghan Peng Architects. Inside there will be a 3D theatre and several restaurants.
It is scheduled to open in June 2021.
Address: Cairo – Alexandria Desert Rd, Kafr Nassar, Al Haram, Giza Governorate (Egipte)
Humboldt Forum (Berlin): temple for art, culture and science
Berlin’s Humboldt Forum will have a new building, the Royal Palace Berlin, located on an island in the River Spree in the centre of the German capital. It will also be well accompanied by the Museum Island, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999.
In 2013 the reconstruction of the Royal Palace, built in 1443, began. The façade is a partial replica of the palace made by architect Andreas Schlüter while the interior was remodelled by Franco Stella.
View of the Humboldt Forum from the Spree River
This palace has a long history. It was built as a residence for the princes of Brandenburg. Later, in the 18th century, it was transformed into a baroque palace. After the unification of Germany in the last third of the 19th century and until 1918, the German emperors lived here. The original palace was demolished in 1950 after being hit by bombing during World War II. The Palace of the Republic was then built to house the GDR Parliament. After the Germanic country was reunified in 1990, the building was demolished again. The new Berliner Schloss – Humboldt Forum was built between 2012 and 2020.
Façade of the new Berliner Schloss – Humboldt Forum
Inside the museum there are two 24-hour squares, the Schlüterhof and the Passage, a portal that crosses the building. On the ground floor is the foyer with the “Cosmograph“, a 17-metre tower with an audio-visual installation. In addition to other interesting nooks and crannies, there is also a 28-metre panoramic wall where a video of the evolution of the site is projected. Its basement, the Schlosskeller, is also open to visitors and contains the remains of a medieval monastery.
It is due to open in spring 2021, but for the time being it can be visited virtually through the various resources provided on its website.
Address: Schlossplatz, 10178, Berlin (Germany)
For this 2021…
We hope to be able to visit these new, varied and architecturally stunning museums as soon as possible. With everyone’s responsibility, we will be able to overcome the pandemic and enjoy ourselves again as we did before.
Image credits: M+ – Herzog & de Meuron and the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority; Munch Museum – Adrià Goula, Ivar Kvaal; Pudong Museum of Art – Jean Nouvel Atelier; The Avicii Experience; HC Andersen – Kengu Kuma, Cornelius Voge, MASU Planning; grandegyptianmuseum.org; Humboldt Forum – Christoph Musiol,
