MATSU 30th Anniversary Special Project: To Be Seen — A Journey for Good to Sanjiangyuan, Qinghai

Mark your calendar: June 25–30, 2026

This year marks three decades of MATSU’s dedication to human-centered, eco-conscious design. We have brought together industry leaders, cross-disciplinary artists, media practitioners and young creators for a profound field trip to Yushu, Qinghai — home to Sanjiangyuan, widely hailed as the “Water Tower of Asia”.

The centerpiece of our itinerary is Tsenpo Museum, an unparalleled cultural landmark nestled at the foot of snow-capped mountains alongside National Highway 214.

Deeply rooted in indigenous Tibetan culture, Tsenpo Museum was founded by the 9th Chakme Rinpoche. His vision was to fill the void of rural public cultural infrastructure across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, while providing a permanent home for treasured Tibetan artifacts: bronze statues of ancient Tibetan kings, Thangkas, stone sculptures and ethnic handicrafts.

Jí Architects delivered an 800-square-meter expansion guided by a design ethos of respecting tradition without compromise. Both the original and new structures are built from local rubble stone, rammed earth and red brick, constructed collaboratively by local Tibetan villagers and lamas. The original wing adheres to the classic stone masonry aesthetic of Yumbu Lakhang Palace, while the new extension features minimalist stone facades and a cantilevered glass meditation hall. Floor-to-ceiling glass delivers sweeping unobstructed vistas of three sacred peaks: the structure mirrors glacial landscapes by day, and glows as a luminous cultural beacon across the plateau after dusk.

The museum operates a dual exhibition framework that connects heritage and modernity: permanent galleries showcase time-honored Tibetan craftsmanship, while flexible exhibition spaces host rotating contemporary art displays. On permanent view is artist Zhao Yao’s large-scale installation Something in the Air, which fosters meaningful dialogue between ancient nomadic civilization and modern artistic expression. It serves as a vital cross-cultural platform, enabling local Tibetan residents and international visitors to exchange perspectives on tradition versus modernity, indigenous identity versus global culture.

At MATSU, we hold the belief that design should embody benevolence and sustainability. During our on-site visit to Tsenpo Museum, we will delve into Sanjiangyuan’s millennia-old eco-nomadic philosophy, explore how commercial vitality can safeguard plateau ecosystems and revive fading nomadic heritage, and translate this age-old harmony between humanity and nature into contemporary workplace design.

“To be seen is where respect begins; to coexist is where symbiosis takes root.”

Stay tuned for exclusive footage, firsthand cultural stories and design insights from the snow-capped plateau.

Architecture Photography of Tsenpo Museum: Wang Hongyue

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