MAD architects to construct beijing's new concert hall

MAD architects has revealed plans for a state-of-the-art performance hall that will become the permanent home for the china philharmonic orchestra. the beijing scheme, which is set to complete by 2019, seeks to provide optimal musical experience and, perhaps more importantly, become a cultural space that promotes exchange between people, nature, and music.

all images © MAD architects

conceived in collaboration with acoustic design expert yasuhisa toyota, MAD architects defines its scheme with a fluid, translucent façade reminiscent of a piece of jade stone. the 1,600-seat concert hall is organized in a ‘vineyard style’, visualized as sloping terraces and rising as serried rows. natural light streams in from above, while visualizations can be projected onto the surrounding white petals — choreographed to match the musical performances. ‘audiences will experience a transition from an urban setting to one of music and nature, preparing them for a journey of self-discovery,’ explains ma yansong, founder & principal partner of MAD architects.

the 1,600-seat main concert hall is laid out in a vineyard style, with the seating surrounding the stage

in addition, a 400-seat rehearsal hall is based next to the lotus pond on the south side of the building. the space is composed of walls formed by curving timber to influence an optimal sound experience during performances. the adjustable reflection panel behind the stage can be raised to bring in natural light and views of the landscape. like MAD’s sinuous harbin opera house, completed last year, the music venue will incorporate aesthetics that simultaneously address nature and architecture. ‘we wanted to create a pure and sacred oasis in the midst of the bustling city,’ adds ma yansong. ‘from the moment you enter the building, you will be taken to another time and space.’

the interior of the 400-seat hall is made of curved wooden walls designed for an optimal musical experience

daylight is diffused through the translucent white curtain wall into the lucid space

the lobby has been designed as an installation of light and space

the building also includes a professional recording studio, a library, a collection gallery, and offices

yasuhisa toyota has designed concert venues such as the disney concert hall in los angeles

expected to be complete by 2019, the hall will be the home for the china philharmonic orchestra

the building is surrounded by a lotus pond and lush greenery

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project info:

expected completion: 2019
location: beijing, china
type: concert hall
status: design development
site: 11,600 sqm (124,860 sqf)
building area: 26,587 sqm (286,180 sqf)
building height: 24m (79ft)
main concert hall capacity: 1600

directors: ma yansong, dang qun, yosuke hayano
design 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 nee

client: china philharmonic orchestra
architects: MAD architects
interior design: MAD architects
acoustics: nagata acoustics
construction engineer: radio film & television design & research institute (DRFT)
structural consultant: china construction international (shenzhen) design consultant co., ltd.
façade consultant: RFR asia
lighting consultant: sign lighting
interior 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 design