SPACE May 2026 (No. 702)
The National Museum of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a grant aid project by KOICA and marks the country’s first national-level public cultural facility. The design actively reflects Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo)’s identity, traditional culture, and tropical climate. Despite the relatively small interior exhibition area of approximately 660 – 990m² and a large proportion of pilotis, the design establishes a grand sense of space through a central hall and a large plaza surrounded by cloisters.
©Kim Wonchul
These pilotis and galleries serve as outdoor exhibition spaces. A 30m-long skylight in the cloister roof delivers a message of national unity. The façade features patterns interpreting traditional African motifs, while natural lighting and ventilation were prioritised due to the tropical heat and unstable power grid. The roof employs a double-skin structure with high-reflectivity finishes to prevent the heat island effect, and windows were designed to naturally expel hot air via the Venturi effect. The water features and landscaping placed at the front of the museum are also a means to reduce the heat island effect. We installed solar panels on the parking lot roof to supply power to the building and also planned a rainwater catchment facility to recycle rainwater for landscaping.
©Kim Wonchul
©Kim Wonchul
You can see more information on the SPACE No. May (2026).
Architect
Junglim Architecture (Jeong Yongkyo, Lee Myungjin)
Design team
Junglim Architecture – Baik Euihyun, Ji Namgyu, Yoon Taewoong, Han Boram, Ryu Hanuk, Oh Youngjae, Kim Doohyun, Baek Hyejeong, Park Jungkyu, Lee Gihong, Park Taehee, Nam Bora
Location
M77X+VPX, Triomphal, Kinshasa, DR Congo
Programme
culture and assembly facility (museum)
Site area
15,152m²
Building area
2,573.04m²
Gross floor area
6,199.25㎡
Building scope
2F
Parking
68
Height
21.31m
Building to land ratio
17%
Floor area ratio
30.6%
Structure
RC
Exterior finishing
brick, stone, screen block, painted concrete
Interior finishing
stone, brick
Structural engineer
Neo-Cross Structure Engineering Co., Ltd.
Mechanical engineer
SAHM-SHIN Engineers, INC.
Electrical engineer
NARA Engineering consultant
Construction
HANSOL EME
Design period
Apr. 2015 – Apr. 2016
Construction period
May 2016 – June 2019
Client
KOICA
Landscape design
SOLTOS Landscape Architecture
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