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China’s Latest Art Museum Is Embedded in a Sand Dune

The ‘Hamptons of Beijing’ welcomes the second outpost of the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art

By Lucy Rees
Curved modern architecture with rocks on a wooden deck overlooking a sandy beach and clear blue sky.
Artist Yu Ji’s works on display in the exhibition After Nature at UCCA Dune. Photo: Courtesy of UCCA Dune

Art, nature, and architecture combine to extraordinary effect at UCCA Dune, a new, semisubterranean art space in China’s Beidaihe District (considered the Hamptons of Beijing). Designed by OPEN Architecture, the museum is the second outpost of the renowned Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, founded by Belgian mega-collectors Guy and Myriam Ullens. The debut exhibition, “After Nature,” features work by nine artists, including Political Pop artist Li Shan. There are plans for a second, partially submerged ocean gallery, reachable only at low tide. 

Aerial view of futuristic white beachfront building with circular and triangular shapes by a calm ocean.
Aerial view of UCCA Dune. Wu Qingshan

Modern beach house with unique arches and circular windows, situated on a sandy shore with clear blue sky and calm water.
The UCCA Dune Art Museum is built into the sand dunes. Wu Qingshan

Minimalist interior space with curved white walls, wooden seating, and a window view of an outdoor area with greenery.
Works by Zhuang Hui & Dan’er in the exhibition “After Nature.” Courtesy of UCCA Dune

Architectural structure framing a serene beach view with sandy shore, sparse vegetation, and calm ocean under a clear sky.
Zhen Bo’s works on display in the “After Nature” exhibition. Courtesy of UCCA Dune

A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2018 Winter issue in the section called The Artful Life. Subscribe to the magazine.