tianzhou yang captures concrete curves and coal hopper remnants at long museum, shanghai

a ten-year retrospective of the long musem west bund

In celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Long Museum West Bund in Shanghai, Tianzhou Yang’s photo series documents the museum’s evolution and its profound impact on the local community. Through a decade of photography, the retrospective spotlights the museum’s pioneering design that preserved industrial relics while creating a dynamic space for local residents, casting a lens on how architecture can shape, and be shaped by, the lives of those who interact with it.

At the time of its opening, few realized that the museum would become one of the most important buildings in the history of modern Chinese architecture. The architectural studio Atelier Deshaus employed a design approach that ran counter to contemporary trends in China, preserving the site’s existing industrial relics and seamlessly integrating them with the new structure. This set a remarkable precedent for architectural practice in the region in recent years.

all images courtesy of Tianzhou Yang

tianzhou yang spotlights the architecture’s impact

Tianzhou Yang moved to Shanghai the year the Long Museum was completed to pursue his studies, and even after leaving in 2020, he frequently visited the museum. Over the years, the London- and Beijing-based photographer systematically documented the museum, focusing particularly on how it has impacted the lives of those who live nearby. ‘I hope to share these valuable records with a wider audience, to remind people that a building should not be judged solely by its appearance when newly completed, but rather by how it stands the test of time,’ he shares.

Since 2016, Tianzhou Yang has frequently chronicled the museum, encountering a diverse array of people there — elderly residents out for a walk, shop owners photographing clothes for their Taobao stores, flautists, skateboarders, fashion enthusiasts, dozing security guards, grandparents enjoying time with their grandchildren, and delivery riders taking a break. ‘This summer, I returned to the Long Museum once again, and everything was as familiar as ever. At sunset, people strolled in groups around the museum, a sanitation worker rested beneath the coal hopper after a long day, while someone nearby practiced playing the flute. The melodious notes drifted along the waters of the Huangpu River, flowing into the sea of time, connecting past and future. And so, the Long Museum quietly stands, accompanying Shanghai, becoming part of the everyday life of the people,’ he continues.

the Long Museum West Bund provides a public space along the Huangpu River, 2016

atelier deshaus embraces the existing railway structures

According to Tianzhou Yang, good architecture endures, and it should be evaluated not at the moment of its completion but after it has been in use for years. In 2014, the preservation of industrial heritage was not a new topic in Western architectural circles, but it received limited attention in China. At that time, China was experiencing rapid economic growth, with modernization often characterized by the large-scale demolition and reconstruction of old buildings.

Unless deemed to have significant artistic or historical value, most ‘ordinary’ structures were often razed in the name of progress. During this period, the Beijing residence of Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin (perhaps the most influential architect couple in Chinese history) was demolished overnight to make way for commercial development. For a long time, so too were many ancient villages, historical buildings, and industrial sites to clear the way for new cities and districts, as these old structures were often seen as symbols of backwardness.

beneath the concrete canopy lies a passageway formed by the coal hopper and newly built structures, 2018

Against this backdrop, the Long Museum’s design approach — preserving the site’s original structures and engaging with them — was pioneering and courageous. Notably, Atelier Deshaus retained the site’s original railway tracks and coal hopper structure (a remnant of the 1950s coal yard). The newly constructed underground car park, completed two years ago, was also transformed into an exhibition hall for artworks requiring controlled lighting.

The concrete umbrella structure, an abstract interpretation of the coal hopper, allows the museum’s above-ground spaces to flow freely in all directions, liberating the museum from the traditional multi-room layout. In doing so, the architects responsibly utilized the existing structures on the site, organically integrating them with the new building. This approach not only demonstrated an advanced concept of sustainability but also created a unique urban mosaic that preserved the temporal memory of the site within the context of that era in China.

tourists captivated by the preserved coal hoppers, pausing to capture photos with them, 2018

Perhaps the most successful aspect of the Long Museum is the passage formed by the old and new structures. It serves as a thoroughfare for residents and workers heading to the river, and it is also a favorite spot for visitors. Open to all, it embodies the ideal of social equality. The Long Museum West Bund has also served as a gateway to modern art for many young people in China. As the largest privately-owned art museum in the country, it was founded by successful art collectors who, while continuously showcasing their collections, have also hosted large solo exhibitions by some of the world’s most acclaimed artists, including James Turrell, Olafur Eliasson, Antony Gormley, and Yang Fudong. Its dynamic space has creatively interacted with these artists’ works, producing exceptional results.

The success of the Long Museum has led to a reconsideration of attitudes towards old buildings and provided an excellent reference for the preservation of industrial heritage in Shanghai. Since 2014, the demolition of old factories along the Huangpu River has significantly decreased, with more industrial sites being preserved and repurposed as museums, public spaces, and other venues. These spaces now record and reflect the passage of time and history. During this period, as China continued to open up, many renowned architectural firms from around the world completed new projects in Shanghai. However, many of these were primarily driven by commercial interests, with the names of the architects often overshadowing the quality of the work itself. ‘Consequently, it could be argued that there is still no other museum building in Shanghai that can rival the Long Museum,’ says Tianzhou Yang.

the coal hopper structure provides a temporary shelter for often-overlooked public service workers, 2024