Physics Vaults 展覽設計 by Wei Xiaodong is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award 銅獎 in 室內空間及展覽設計 Competition Category.

銅室內· 2026

Physics Vaults 展覽設計

by Wei Xiaodong

Client: Beijing Four-Face lmage Environmental Art Design Co., Ltd.

A' Design Award 銅獎 Winner in 室內 Category

6,662

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #178844

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Physics Vaults 展覽設計

「物理拱穹」係為中國山東一間科學館而做嘅展覽設計。室內面積約7,000平方米，設有五個展廳、一個入口區同一個沉浸式環形空間。展廳由一連串遞減嘅拱門構成，以清水混凝土一次過澆築而成。拱形殼體既係結構，又係隱藏建築設備同多媒體系統嘅暗腔。大型實驗裝置、鋼製步道、沖孔金屬板同隱藏式燈光引領觀眾穿越五個重點實驗場景，令複雜嘅物理內容更加易明。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銅獎

Physics Vaults 展覽設計是 A' Design Award 銅獎得主，這是授予以創造力、獨創性和敏銳見長的傑出設計的極具聲望的認可。銅獎得主是技藝嫻熟、創意驚人的作品，印證了其設計師豐富的經驗、想像力與機智。預計Physics Vaults 展覽設計將成為一件備受推崇、令人欽佩且被珍愛的物品，兼具顯著的專業性與創新性。這件贏得 A' Design Award 銅獎的設計融入藝術、科學、設計和技術領域的最佳實踐，並因注重細節而出類拔萃。Physics Vaults 展覽設計出色地滿足需求，觸動渴望，迷住情感，並吸引好奇心。

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Based on five key experiment scenes, including particle accelerators, the design features a sequence of halls framed by diminishing concrete arches. By integrating realistic large-scale apparatus with raw architectural form, the space fuses artistic immersion, scientific cognition, and philosophical speculation. This creates a top-tier innovative science museum experience, transforming engineering physics into a profound dialogue on humanity's shared pursuit of truth.
Dimensions & Packaging: The interior comprises five main exhibition halls, an entrance zone and an immersive ring space, with a total designed area of approximately 7,000 square meters.
Tags: Exhibition Design, Science Museum, Fair-faced Concrete, Particle Physics, Arch Structure, Spatial Narrative, Immersive Experience, Engineering Aesthetics, Integration
Production Technology: Arched shells are cast in a single pour of fair-faced concrete, serving as both primary structure and hidden cavity for MEP and media systems. Realistic large-scale apparatus is set directly against these raw surfaces to meet core science-education needs, while steel walkways, perforated metal and concealed lighting add an almost theatrical vividness, unifying exhibition and construction into one engineering-physics narrative.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was to integrate exhibition content and construction into a single system rather than simply adding displays to a finished shell. Large-span concrete arches had to work simultaneously as structure and service cavity while still supporting clear sightlines and narrative flow. At the same time, expert-level physics content needed to remain scientifically precise yet legible to non-specialist visitors.
Research: The research focuses on exhibition and experiential space design, exploring how spatial language can connect advanced physics experiments with everyday public understanding. Grounded in scientific rigor and empirical observation, it examines how scale, material and narrative flow shape cognition and emotion, turning the science museum into a bridge between researchers and society and passing scientific spirit to younger generations.
Inspiration: Inspiration comes from the spatial language of high-energy physics infrastructure. Arches echo underground tunnels and protective bunkers, while exposed concrete conveys engineering rationality and authenticity. The space turns complex, expert-level knowledge into accessible experience, letting each visitor feel both their own scale and humanity's shared quest to understand the universe.
Project Duration: The project started in 2015 in Shandong, China and finished in 2021.
Operation Flow: The design employs a dynamic narrative where spatial structure is isomorphic to the exhibition flow. Visitors traverse a sequence of diminishing arches, mirroring the focusing trajectory of particle beams. This progression connects five thematic halls, shifting focus from macro-scale apparatus to micro-scale artifacts. The journey flows from rational observation to immersive contemplation, ensuring physical movement aligns perfectly with the unfolding scientific story.
Patents: Wei Xiaodong
Team Members: Wei Xiaodong, Tan Ying, Yu Lihan, Chen Zhengye, Zhang Rong