Chinese architect brings Eastern design ideas to Lucas Museum in Los Angeles

(ECNS) -- The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, designed by Chinese architect Ma Yansong and his team, opened to the public in Los Angeles on Tuesday. 

Founded by “Star Wars” filmmaker George Lucas and his wife Mellody Hobson, the museum covers about 28,000 square meters and houses more than 40,000 pieces of art and artifacts.

In 2014, Ma's MAD Architects won the international design competition for the museum, beating renowned architects including Zaha Hadid and Rem Koolhaas.

The museum is dominated by a massive white structure that appears to float above the surrounding trees and park. Its design draws inspiration from traditional Chinese gardens and the idea of harmony between people and nature.

Ma said his work has also been inspired by Chinese scientist Qian Xuesen's concept of "landscape cities" proposed in the 1990s, which envisions greater harmony between cities, nature and culture.

Combining tradition with innovation is an important challenge for contemporary architecture, Ma said. Traditional Chinese gardens, he added, offer ideas for creating spaces where people and nature can coexist harmoniously.

(By Helen Mo & intern Liu Shuangjing)