Memorial Exhibition Hall Design for the "Mianmao Road" by Atelier Haode

The Mianmao Road Memorial Exhibition Hall, designed by Atelier Haode in collaboration with the School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, commemorates the epic construction journey of the Mianmao Highway, connecting Mianzhu City and Mao County in Sichuan, China. Situated in Qingping Town, a region profoundly affected by the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake, the exhibition hall honors the heroic efforts of the road’s builders while addressing local cultural, historical, and ecological contexts.

Seventeen years ago, the Wenchuan Earthquake caused widespread devastation in the region, leaving communities isolated by damaged infrastructure. The Mianmao Road project, launched in 2009 with multi-party funding, became one of Sichuan's most challenging post-disaster transportation initiatives. After 14 years of construction, the road officially opened in 2023, ending the historical isolation between Mianzhu and Mao County. The Memorial Exhibition Hall was conceived to celebrate this monumental achievement, preserve local memory, and provide a cultural and spiritual gathering space.

Occupying a 1,400㎡ site, the hall repurposes an existing rectangular steel-structured warehouse originally owned by the Mianzhu Transportation Bureau. While structurally intact, the original building was highly enclosed. With a limited budget and the need to embrace climatic advantages, the design retained the factory’s framework while reshaping the spatial organization to create openness and connectivity with the surrounding environment.

The design departs from traditional exhibition layouts, employing environmental reenactment as a narrative device. A linear spatial organization inspired by roads and tunnels forms the central axis, separating exhibition zones from activity areas and creating a natural flow. Core spatial elements include the foyer, main axis, exhibition hall, multi-functional hall, and mezzanine, all organized along this linear trajectory to support immersive storytelling.

Distinct strategies were applied to the building’s facades: while exterior maintenance structures were removed, the original roof and framework were preserved, enhanced with modern waterproofing treatments. Inside, large stone spaces are transformed into node-based narratives, hosting multimedia and graphic displays that evoke the perilous conditions faced during the 14-year construction process. Abstract spatial forms, full-scale physical exhibits, and interactive media immerse visitors in the story of human resilience and the harmonious yet challenging dialogue with nature.

Ultimately, the Mianmao Road Memorial Exhibition Hall is more than an architectural project—it is a tribute to human determination, a record of post-earthquake reconstruction, and a respectful homage to nature’s enduring presence. This museum exemplifies adaptive reuse, cultural storytelling, and sustainable exhibition design, making it a landmark in contemporary Chinese architectural practice.

All Photographs are works of Arch-Exist