Shanghai Natural History Museum — Perkins + Will

Biological model: Animal and plant cells

Company: Perkins + Will

The Shanghai Natural History Museum designed by Perkins + Will using cell structures (both animal and plant) as inspiration for architectural organization and design.

The challenge

Large public buildings often have inefficient spatial organization and poor functional clarity. Biological principles could improve how spaces are organized and functions integrated.

Nature's strategy

Animal and plant cell structures

What was emulated

Cellular compartmentalization, efficient internal organization, specialized functional spaces

The innovation

Museum design based on cellular structure principles for spatial organization and functional programming.

Full case study

The Shanghai Natural History Museum, designed by Perkins + Will, integrates cellular structure principles from both animal and plant cells into its architectural design. Cells are the fundamental unit of life with efficient internal organization and specific functional compartments. The museum design uses cellular principles for spatial organization, functional programming, and structural efficiency. The architecture reflects how cells organize internal spaces to serve specific functions while maintaining overall system coherence.