MAD Architects has revealed plans for the design its latest project, the China Philharmonic Hall. The concert hall was designed in collaboration with renowned acoustic expert Yasuhisa Toyota, and will be the orchestra’s first permanent residency. Toyota was also an acoustics designer for world-class concert venues such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Philharmonie de Paris, and the Suntory Hall in Japan.
Courtesy of MAD architects
The concert hall project was approved by the National Development and Reform Commission, and the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film, and Television of the People’s Republic of China considers it a high-priority national project. Located at the south side of the Workers Stadium East Gate in Beijing’s Central Business District, the concert hall covers a site of 11,600 sqm, and has a total floor area of 26,587 sqm. The building is surrounded by a lotus pond and lush greenery. The translucent façade gently emerges from the landscape like a piece of jade. While walking past the building, people will be attracted to its soft glow.
Courtesy of MAD architects
Ma Yansong, the founder & principal partner of MAD Architects, envisions the concert hall as a hidden gem and a peaceful cultural escape from the city. “We wanted to create a pure and sacred oasis in the midst of the bustling city,” says Ma Yansong, “From the moment you enter the building, you will be taken to another time and space.” The philharmonic orchestra’s goal is to create a state-of-the-art concert hall that will serve as a cultural exchange and China’s new locus for classical music. The project is scheduled to begin construction this year and is expected to be completed in 2019.
China Philharmonic Hall
Location: Beijing, China
Type: Concert Hall
Status: Design development
Site: 11,600 sqm (124,860 sqft)
Building area: 26,587 sqm (286,180 sqft)
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