Designer Introduction & Project Statement
This conceptual design for the future Dragon Boat Museum was created by Mo Chen, a designer with a background in architecture (Virginia Tech) and a MBA (Tsinghua University). She focuses on integrating cultural storytelling with spatial design. She has experience in projects ranging from public exhibitions to community architecture. Her goal is to create spaces that connect people, celebrate heritage, and inspire engagement.

Project Overview
As the first Museum celebrating the sport of Dragon Boat Racing in the United States, the Dragon Boat Museum is more than a cultural archive—it is a living hub for community life and cross-cultural dialogue. Inspired by the form and rhythm of a dragon boat, the building’s architecture appears to float on the river, symbolizing movement and tradition.

Program & Functionality
This museum will feature exhibition galleries, multipurpose event spaces, a restaurant, a café, a theater, an auditorium and flexible areas that can host cultural programs or private events, such as weddings. A waterfront terrace will provide scenic views and connects directly to the river, supporting dragon boat practices and reinforcing the building’s bond with the water. In addition, the museum’s ground level will have a gymnasium, a swimming pool, a room full of rowing machines, an indoor dragon boat paddling pool, a boathouse, and a maintenance workshop.

Design Approach
Traditional elements for the museum are reinterpreted through modern forms and materials, creating a space that honors the history while embracing contemporary design. The result is a culturally resonant, welcoming environment that reflects the vitality and inclusiveness of the community that it serves. This structure opens a new world for dragon boat athletes to pursue their dreams. The charm of the building lies not only in its unique appearance and practicality but also in its cost effectiveness.