Devoted to presenting the intangible cultural patrimony of China to the public, the building is located within the Horticultural Exposition Park of Suzhou, a city that has been declared a World Heritage Site, west of Shanghai. It falls within a well preserved historical enclave close to Taihu Lake and surrounded by river on three sides.

This simultaneously natural and cultural setting was one of the sources of inspiration in the project, where the main strategy was to connect the various elements of the program through courtyards and outdoor corridors recalling spatial experiences typical of the architectural tradition of Suzhou, known for its exceptional palaces and gardens. The layout relying on courts and covered passageways is ideal in the rainy local climate, and unites very different uses in a single scheme, from a theater wrapped in laminated bamboo louvers and greenery to an iconic cloud installation on the rooftop platform of the museum lobby. There is also an observation tower, and a restaurant at the waterfront. A green roof solution covers the greater part of the volume, blurring the lines between architecture and nature.