Surrounded by the wetland landscape of Northern Chinese city of Harbin, stands a very unusual opera house. Designed by the Beijing-based company MAD Architects, this building took five years to complete before it was unveiled as a focal point of the Cultural Island.
On the exterior, the opera house is designed to match the winding and twisting landscape, as the design of the building was largely inspired by the northern city’s wild nature and temperamental climate. The fluid and dynamic lines blend in seamlessly with the surrounding nature, creating an illusion that the building was shaped entirely by wind and water. With the help of white aluminum panel façade, architects have given this building a mixed character of softness and sharpness. Bringing together both people and nature, it acts as an extraordinary performance venue while seemingly disappearing in snow during the cold months.
The grand architectural mass of approximately 850 000 square feet features a large theater, which can accommodate over 1 600 people, as well as a smaller theater for an intimate audience of 400. Upon entering the grand opera house, the visitors are immediately transformed into performers, as, with the help of fluid shapes, the building portrays a never-ending movement. The surface is comprised of glass pyramids, which, once again, emphasize the dual character of the building and pay an homage to Harbin’s untamed nature.
Bending the rules of the usual opera house design typology, MAD Architects have created a theatrical space, which is deeply rooted within the local culture, community and landscape. From sound-proof panoramic windows, which serve as a backdrop to performances, to warm and inviting wooden-clad walls, the strong connection between people and nature is exhibited in countless different ways throughout the building. While dramatic in its narrative and appearance, the opera house seems like an organic addition to the surrounding landscape.
© Photo Credit: Adam Mork
