Sunner Museum / Atelier Alter Architects

Architects: Atelier Alter Architects
Area: 6,800 m²
Site Area: 11,000 m²
Year: 2024
Design Period: 2022 to 2023
Photography: Highlite Images, Cyan & Orange Images, Atelier Alter Architects
Lead Architects: Xiaojun Bu, Yingfan Zhang
LDI: Beijing Yanhuang United International Engineering Design Co., Ltd. (Project Leader: Haicheng Jian)
Structural Engineering: Beijing Institute of Architectural Design Co., Ltd. (Project Leader: Shichang Duan)
Interior Design: Atelier Alter Architects
Landscape Design: LOCUS Associates, Ltd.
Façade Engineering: Ping Zhu
Lighting Design: Z Design and Planning
Exhibition Design: Atelier Alter Architects, Jiangsu Science Dream Exhibition Technology Co., Ltd.
VI Design: Jiangsu Science Dream Exhibition Technology Co., Ltd.
Construction: Beijing No. 3 Construction Engineering Co., Ltd.
Client: Fujian Sunner Holding Co., Ltd.
City: Nanping, Fujian
Country: China

Sunner Museum, designed by Atelier Alter Architects in Nanping, Fujian, functions as both an agricultural exhibition space and a public landmark. Commissioned by Fujian Sunner Holding Co., Ltd. and completed in 2024, the 6,800 square meter building integrates folded concrete façades, curved green roofs, and silo-structured supports to reference local topography and industrial systems. Embedded in the ecological setting of the Wuyi Mountains, the architecture blends environmental strategies with public engagement, reinforcing its dual role as an industrial archive and civic destination.

Sunner museum / atelier alter architects

Sunner Museum, located within the Sunner Group Complex in Guangze County, Nanping City, was developed as a cultural and industrial exhibition center for Fujian Sunner Holding Co., Ltd. The project marks the group’s efforts to document its achievements in agricultural science and technology while offering a venue for public education and professional exchange. The museum sits in an ecologically rich area near the Wuyi Mountains, where the company operates a closed-loop, zero-emission breeding system that shaped both the building’s purpose and its environmentally responsive design.

The architectural approach by Atelier Alter Architects centers on the concept of “recreating the mountain landscape.” The design features three interlocking, gently sloped roof surfaces that rise from the ground, reflecting the undulating profile of the nearby Wuyi Mountains. These green roofs create elevated landscape courtyards and facilitate circulation paths, offering views across the river, the surrounding forest, and the industrial complex. The project was designed between 2022 and 2023 and completed in 2024.

The façade is composed of folded concrete plates inspired by industrial retaining walls. These structural folds vary in form and function: in base sections, they provide structural stability; at public entry points, they combine with glass curtain walls to open the building visually. The folded geometry supports drainage while discreetly integrating mechanical systems such as ventilation louvers. The texture and rhythm of the façade reinforce the building’s connection to both industrial utility and regional landscape.

At the center of the building, the main exhibition hall is anchored by four silo-shaped shear walls. These vertical cores house secondary functions and allow for a 25-meter-high central atrium free of internal columns. This space enables large-scale displays of agricultural innovation and technology. A north-facing skylight provides balanced natural lighting, enhancing the gallery experience while reducing glare.

Fujian’s hot and humid climate informed several passive and active design strategies. The sloped roofs facilitate efficient rainwater drainage, while a soil-covered roof layer adds thermal insulation. Technical equipment is hidden within a dedicated mechanical zone below the roof, preserving the clean architectural silhouette and allowing the structure to appear as a continuous green form integrated with its landscape.

Constructed by Beijing No. 3 Construction Engineering Co., Ltd., the museum plays a dual role as an industrial knowledge hub and public amenity. During the day, it serves as a platform for agricultural education and industry exhibitions. In the evening, its rooftop becomes a free public space, connecting architecture with daily life. According to the architects, the museum expresses “symbiosis between architecture and the environment.” The building redefines how industrial infrastructure can support environmental awareness, regional identity, and civic engagement, positioning it as a new cultural landmark in the Wuyi Mountain region.