Visual Culture for All

A flagship of the West Kowloon Cultural District, M+ is a museum for visual culture that is much more than just an exhibition venue. The name M+ reveals its ambition to become a research centre, a learning hub, a performance venue, and a waterfront concourse for everyone to enjoy. A tall slender tower forms an inverted T-shape standing on a spacious, rectangular podium clad with circular dark green glazed ceramic tiles in columns to reference the bamboo grove of a traditional scholar’s garden. On the tower, the same tiles are arranged in rows lit up by LED, the choice of materials drawn from the vernacular architecture of Southern China. The colour shifts subtly throughout the day, and at night, behind the tiles facing the harbour, 5,664 embedded energy-saving LED tubes light up to make the M+ façade into a screen showcasing new works and moving images.

A space to promote dialogue and empathy

The entire building is supported by five high-strength mega-trusses, and inside textured concrete and wood provide interesting visuals in the lobbies and galleries. There are 17,000 square metres of exhibition space in the podium: 33 galleries, three cinemas, a mediathèque, and a learning hub. The tower houses the Museum’s research facilities, offices, restaurants, and a members’ lounge. 

The multifunctional semi-outdoor Grand Stair consists of two flights of stairs running down towards a stage over which a giant LED screen is suspended. This public space was designed to have an informal, relaxed atmosphere, and the cushioned seating makes it ideal for screenings and talks, as well as live performances, while the abundant green open spaces and roof gardens encourage the public to enjoy Hong Kong’s skyline.

Heroes behind the scenes

In this digital age, the study of visual culture amid fast-changing social dynamics has to be supported by strong, dedicated curatorial, archival, and research expertise, and M+ highlights the importance of professionals working behind the scenes with its multistorey conservation and storage facility opposite, designed to conveniently conserve, store and facilitate the movement of the collection. At street level it serves as a display area, showcasing the skill of the conservation team, and educating and fascinating the public.

Accessibility and location

The museum is near two underground railway stations, a high-speed intercity railway station, and numerous bus routes, making it easily accessible by the efficient public transport network for local visitors, and via the high-speed rail for visitors from the Mainland. M+ is a landmark for visual culture with an important impact far beyond Hong Kong.

M Plus Museum Limited