Pugongshan Geology: A Museum Melding Past and Future

Reviving an Abandoned Lime Kiln into an Eco-Educational Museum

The inspiration for the museum's design was drawn from the site's original state. The jagged stone hills and massive mine pits, once tools for environmental destruction, have been transformed into meaningful ecological education spaces. The design team persuaded the owner to retain part of the incomplete mountain, the mine pit, and all the lime kilns, integrating these elements into the museum's design.

Pugongshan Geology Museum is unique in its approach to sustainable development. The kiln head has been transformed into a viewing platform, and one of the old kilns serves as the museum's main entrance. This design strategy has created an organic unity between the mine, the old gypsum kiln, and the new museum.

The museum was constructed by local workers, some of whom are descendants of the original lime kiln builders. The building's skin is recycled from discarded concrete, with textured hanging panels that emphasize the architectural affinity with people and the environmental significance of using recycled materials.

The museum spans four floors, one underground and three above ground, covering a total construction area of 3,314.5 square meters. The design team has successfully combined the new museum with the existing lime kiln, using uncalcined limestone as a landscape element and the old kiln group as the iconic gate of the geopark. The museum is "hidden" behind the old lime kiln, with part of the exhibition space "pressed" into the ground, making the museum's height lower than the old lime kiln.

The Pugongshan Geology Museum project began in 2018 and was completed in 2020. The museum primarily displays the production process of lime and the ecological destruction caused by disorderly lime production. It serves as an educational tool for understanding lime and ecological education. The design team faced challenges in preserving the old lime kilns and merging the old and new buildings, but their efforts have resulted in a design that is both sustainable and educational.

The Pugongshan Geology Museum has been recognized for its innovative design, winning the Silver A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2022. This award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation, technical excellence, and artistic skill. The museum's design certainly embodies these qualities, serving as a beacon of sustainable development and ecological education.