MAD Architects has unveiled the design of the new China Philharmonic Hall in Beijing. Conceived in collaboration with renowned acoustic expert Yasuhisa Toyota (Walt Disney Concert Hall, Philharmonie de Paris, Suntory Hall, etc.), the concert hall will serve as the China Philharmonic Orchestra’s first permanent residency while becoming “a cultural exchange and China’s new locus for classical music.”
To be located at the south side of the Workers Stadium East Gate in Beijing’s Central Business District, the 26,587 square meter (286,000 square foot) building has been envisioned as a “hidden gem” and a place of peaceful respite within the city.
“We wanted to create a pure and sacred oasis in the midst of the bustling city,” says Ma Yansong, founder & principal partner of MAD Architects. “From the moment you enter the building, you will be taken to another time and space.”
Surrounded by a lotus pond and lush greenery, the building’s draped, translucent façade lifts at the entrances to invite in visitors. Once inside, the soaring lobby will provide access to the two performance halls and serve as an area for mingling within the soft light.
“Audiences will experience a transition from an urban setting to one of music and nature, preparing them for a journey of self-discovery,” says Ma Yansong.
The design of the 1,600-seat main concert hall draws inspiration from the natural, with “vineyard style” seating rising around the stage in a series of sloping terraces and white sound reflection petals on the ceiling will take the form of segments of a lotus flower. During the day, natural light will filter through the ceiling elements, while at night, lighting and visualizations can be projects onto the interior surfaces to create natural scenes that harmonize with the musical performances.
On the south side of the building, a 400-seat rehearsal hall will be nestled within curved wooden walls. An adjustable sound reflection panel at the back of the stage can be configured for different performance types; in its most dramatic arrangement, it can be raised to allow the natural lotus pond outside to serve as the backdrop for the performance.
The building will also contain professional recording studio, a library, a collection gallery, offices, rehearsal rooms, and other auxiliary function spaces. MAD Architects hopes the design will become “a new formula for concert hall design and introduce a space within the busy city that promotes conversations between people, nature, and music.”
Construction on the China Philharmonic Hall will begin later this year, and is expected to be completed in 2019.
News via MAD Architects.
Architects
Location
Beijing, ChinaArchitect
MAD ArchitectsDirectors
Ma Yansong, Dang Qun, Yosuke HayanoDesign Team
Kin Li, Liu Huiying, Fu Xiaoyi, Brecht Van Acker, Zeng Hao, Li Guangchong, Jacob Hu, Xiao Ying, Dora Lam, Zhao Wei, Shen Chen, Dmitry Seregin, Zhu Jinglu, Yukan Yanagawa, Wang Deyuan, Hiroki Fujino, Zheng Fang, Sear NeeClient
China Philharmonic OrchestraInterior Design
MAD ArchitectsAcoustics
Nagata AcousticsConstruction Engineer
Radio Film & Television Design & Research Institute (DRFT)Structural Consultant
China Construction International (Shenzhen) Design Consultant Co., Ltd.Façade Consultant
RFR AsiaLighting Consultant
SIGN LightingInterior Executive Architect
Beijing Honggao Interior Design Co., Ltd.Landscape Design
Palm Design Co., Ltd.Planning of Traffic Facilities
Beijing Homedale Institute of Urban Planning & Architectural DesignType
Concert HallStatus
Design developmentBuilding Height
24m (79ft)Main Concert Hall Capacity
1600Area
11600.0 m2Project Year
2019Photographs
Courtesy of MAD ArchitectsArchitects
