Science Fiction Museum in China Shaped Like a Seven-Pointed Star

(Patria) - A monumental metal structure shaped like a seven-pointed star floating on the surface of a lake looks like a scene from a science fiction movie.

In reality, it is a new science fiction museum that has opened in Chengdu in southwestern China.

"The building looks different from every angle, unusual and unexpected," says designer and project co-director Paulo Flores from the company "Zaha Hadid Architects".

The Science Fiction Museum in Chengdu covers 59,000 square meters along Lake Jingrong, writes Punkufer.hr.

It includes exhibition galleries, multi-purpose educational halls, a conference center, and other supporting spaces, as well as a central atrium overlooking the stunning Xiling Mountains.

Although it is three times larger than the Sydney Opera House, the museum was built in a significantly shorter period than that flagship of Australian culture – in just 12 months.

"A building of this size and complexity would normally take four to five years to build," Flores points out in an interview with CNN.

However, the project was successfully completed in one year. Just in time to host the recently held 81st World Science Fiction Convention, Worldcon.

The entire process from idea to completion of the building was accelerated by various design software, such as that for polygonal modeling, which creates a three-dimensional simulation of the building.

Digital modeling analysis, in turn, enabled the team to optimize the building's structure for the specific weather conditions in Chengdu in a very short time and select the appropriate roof angle to protect the interior from direct sunlight.

Local materials were used for construction, and green technology was, of course, integrated into the project – solar panels were installed on the expansive roof to help supply the building with energy, and a series of floor-to-ceiling windows were installed to reduce the need for artificial light during the day.

The Science Fiction Museum in Chengdu is part of a larger plan to build a future city of science and technology that will span approximately 4.5 square kilometers in the Pidu district, encompassing new universities, laboratories, and business spaces.