Architectural Design Highlights:
• Red Brick House Cultural Symbol: The overall design utilizes the iconic red bricks and red tiles of Southern Fujian, combined with traditional elements such as swallowtail roofs and arcaded walkways, offering a modern interpretation of the regional architectural culture of Quanzhou, the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road.
• Circular Enclosed Layout: The building unfolds in a circular layout centered around a central plaza, echoing the spatial imagery of a “port settlement” and creating a sense of ceremony through its enclosed design, symbolizing the gathering of energy and embracing the sea.
• Integration of Ancient and Modern Functions: Within the traditional architectural form, modern museum exhibition layouts, climate control systems, and public service spaces are incorporated, achieving a balance between cultural heritage and contemporary functions.
Cultural Significance:
• As the core carrier of the “Maritime Silk Road” culture in Shishi City, it not only exhibits artifacts such as underwater archaeological finds and trade ceramics but also recreates the prosperous scenes of Quanzhou Port during the Song and Yuan dynasties through immersive exhibitions, becoming an important window into the history of Fujian’s maritime trade.
• The building itself is also part of the “Maritime Silk Road” culture; the combination of red brick houses and modern architectural technology reflects the cultural continuity of Quanzhou as a World Heritage city.
