Rose Museum
In May 2016, the Rose Museum, located in Beijing, China, opened to the public. Billed as a 'world first’, the museum is characterised by a 'solid' volume covered by a silk-like skin of stainless steel with a paper-cut pattern of Chinese roses.
Designed by NEXT architects, the museum "...aims to create a new architecture for China, in which history and modernity, art and architecture blend." The architects were inspired by the roses and floriculture which are deeply rooted in Chinese culture, as well as by traditional Chinese architecture, in particular, walled courtyards.
The stainless steel façade is 300 m long and 17 m high, perforated with a rose-shaped pattern. There are four half-open courtyards between the façade and the main building, in which the rose pattern creates an interplay between light and shadow. At night, the façade is illuminated and projects rose shadows outside the building.
The Rose Museum was completed in time to host the 2016 World Rose Convention.
Images copyright Xiao Kaixiong.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Building of the week series.
- China Philharmonic Hall.
- Dali Theatre and Museum.
- Dancing House, Prague.
- Dunmore Pineapple.
- Kunsthaus Graz.
- Lotus Temple.
- National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing.
- Office Center 1000 Kaunas.
- Phoenix International Media Center, Beijing.
- Sage Gateshead.
- Titanic Belfast.
- Unusual building design of the week.
- Xili Sports and Cultural Centre.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Building Safety Wiki Interviews
Chief executive of the British Woodworking Federation.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.























