A museum complex is set to be built in Jiading District this year. The Haishang Cultural Museum Complex will cover an overall area of 67,000 square meters and construction is due to be complete in 2020.

The complex in the south of Jiading Old Town and adjacent to the Jiading Exit of S5 Shanghai-Jiading Expressway will be a new cultural icon of the suburban district.

As a major project to mark the 800th anniversary of the founding of Jiading and for the district’s cultural development in the period of 13th Five-Year-Plan (2016-2020), the complex will involve two main buildings and a communal public space.

One of the two main buildings will exhibit traditional works of art from established collectors, both Chinese and foreign. The other will display more contemporary work.

“It will make it possible for visitors to see dozens of various collections from world-class collectors and thousands of artworks by renowned artists through a single visit,” said Yao Qiang, deputy director of the district bureau of culture, radio, film and TV.

The three-story complex will be divided into more than 30 exhibition rooms ranging from 300 to 1,000 square meters with space for workshops and seminars.

Private collectors may get a chance to display their antiques or artworks and the Jiading government has invited 25 of them to join the scheme.

Renowned designer

The buildings have been designed by Portuguese architect Alvaro Siza and his student Carlos Castanheira. Siza has designed buildings around the world including the sports facilities Ribera-Serrallo in Porto and Ibere Camargo Foundation in Porto Alegre.

The museum complex will act as both a cultural center for experiencing art and a meeting place with cafes, teahouses and restaurants. Most of the entertainment facilities will be installed at the the communal space to cater for a wide range of visitors’ needs.

It is expected that the Haishang Cultural Museum will become a major tourist destinations in the Yangtze River Delta area and will improve the district’s image by facilitating the cultural interests of locals and visitors.

Other recent projects opened as part of the district’s cultural drive include the Han Tianheng Art Museum, the Shanghai Poly Grand Theater and the Jiading Library.