Work has started on the M+ Museum West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD), Hong Kong, following a ground breaking ceremony.

Designed by Herzog and de Meuron in partnership with TFP Farrells and Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong, the museum's ground breaking was marked by the burial of a commemorative time capsule containing contemporary and local items, ready to be rediscovered in a century.

The M+ Museum, with a floor space of 60,000sq m (645,834sq ft), is the second project to be built on the WKCD site, following on from the construction of the Xiqu Centre - designed by Bing Thom Architects - which will act as a venue for chinese opera performances.

Carrie Lam, WKCDA chair, said: “M+ is not just another museum. It is a clear demonstration of a future for contemporary art in Hong Kong and underscores the commitment of the Government to enhance Hong Kong's position as an international art and culture metropolis.”

M+ will focus on contemporary 20th and 21st century film, art, design and architecture from Asia. Herzog and de Meuron’s design lends itself to wide open gallery spaces; constructed in two main sections, the first horizontal and the second, a vertical tower, will allow for interactive exhibition spaces as well as a research and curatorial centre. Retail, restaurant and entertainment offerings will also be available on site.

The building is scheduled for completion in 2018 and it is hoped that, once finished, the project will be a “a world famous landmark in the Kowloon urban landscape.”