ZXD Architects 朱小地建筑工作室

Encore Mount Wutai Theater

Encore Mount Wutai Theater
Aerial view. Image © Xiangdong Wang

ENCORE MOUNT WUTAI THEATER

Biad-zxd Architects

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Xiaodi Zhu

LIGHTING CONSULTANT
Biad Lighting Desgin Studio

CLIENT
Mount Wutai Administration

MANUFACTURERS
Shanxi Changshengyuan Metal, Shanxi Changxin Glass, Shanxi Chengshi Stone

AIR CONDITIONING
Biad-john Martin International Architectural Design Co.ltd, Ltd

AIR CONDITIONAL
Biad-john Martin International Architectural Design Co,. Ltd

STAGE DESIGN
Zhejiang Joinus Cultural Technology Co.ltd

DESIGN TEAM
Bo Gao, Wen Luo, Fanjin Kong, Qi Jia

STRUCTURE SPECIALTY
Biad-john Martin International Architectural Design Co,. Ltd

STRUCTURE SPECIALTY
Biad-john Martin International Architectural Design Co,. Ltd

CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
Mcc Tiangong Group Co. Ltd.

WATER SUPPLY AND DRAINAGE ENGINEERING
Biad-john Martin International Architectural Design Co.ltd

PHOTOGRAPHS
Xing Fu, Yong Zhu, Xiangdong Wang

AREA
13949 m²

YEAR
2014

LOCATION
China

CATEGORY
Theaters & Performance

Text description provided by architect.

The Encore Mount Wutai Theatre lies outside of the south entrance of the Wutai Mountain scenic area and on the open ground before two hills.

Encore Mount Wutai Theater
Aerial view. Image © Xing Fu
Encore Mount Wutai Theater
Aerial. Image © Xing Fu

Because the need of large-scale situational performances, the theatre space is a large space that is 131 meters long, 75 meters wide and 21.5 meters high.

The 730-meter-long and slowly unfolding "Sutra Folds" is located in front of the theatre, and the scriptures of the A vatamsaka Sutra, the "king of sutras", are inscribed on the Folds.

The seven "Sutra Folds" are arranged to form a gradually opening order from high to low and become the prelude of the theatre performance.

Encore Mount Wutai Theater
Exterior part. Image © Xing Fu
Encore Mount Wutai Theater
Exterior folding walls. Image © Xiangdong Wang

No sooner does the audience enter the "Sutra Folds" than the performance begins - the theatre is just like a vast sutra slowly opening before the view of the audience.

Therefore, the exclusive theatre of "Encore Mount Wutai" is a theatre extending from outdoors to indoors.

Encore Mount Wutai Theater
Exterior part. Image © Xing Fu
Encore Mount Wutai Theater
Exterior folding walls. Image © Xing Fu

Both the "Sutra Folds" and the theatre adopt appearances with different materials, including stone material, glass, stainless steel and other materials.

Through the reflection and transmission characteristics of these materials, the dimensions are broke down into undulating patterns of different dimensions, in varying degrees reflecting their surrounding environment, blue skies, white clouds, mountains, trees, as well as the audience there.

Encore Mount Wutai Theater
Exterior part. Image © Xing Fu
Encore Mount Wutai Theater
Exterior part. Image

All things seem between tangible and intangible, to the great extent counteract the contours of the structure, and remove the pressure of the structural dimensions on the surrounding environment.

The "lifted up" parts of the "Sutra Folds" create the passage for tourists to pass, display the detailed construction of Chinese traditional wooden architecture, and suggest the cultural environment in which the structure is situated.

Encore Mount Wutai Theater
Interior part. Image © Xiangdong Wang
Encore Mount Wutai Theater
Interior. Image © Xiangdong Wang

Just like what the architect ZHU Xiaodi said, "this is a structure of indescribable shapes and at the same time one that is disappearing; this is a structure that can be listened to and also a structure that people can have a dialogue with; this is a structure reflecting the history and also one looking into the future.

This is not a structure but a place that wisdom can be inspired." Among the undulating waves of the "Sutra Folds", the audience can stop to meditate and have a dialogue with the space and situations, through which they stimulate their psychological and spiritual experience.

Encore Mount Wutai Theater
Interior. Image © Xiangdong Wang
Encore Mount Wutai Theater
Interior. Image © Xiangdong Wang

The light and shadow change of a rock or a wood on the ground records the passing of time and the cycle of life, letting people discard the distracting thoughts of the world, broaden their vision and mind, and perceive the wisdom of the Buddha.

This not only brings sensory shocks, but also brings about the speculation of the spectators. And on the peripheral areas hang wind-bells. They ring and reverberate among mountains, just as Buddha hymns.

Encore Mount Wutai Theater
Exterior. Image © Xing Fu


Encore Mount Wutai Theater
Aerial night view. Image © Yong Zhu
Encore Mount Wutai Theater
Aerial night view. Image © Yong Zhu
Encore Mount Wutai Theater
Exterior. Image © Xiangdong Wang


Encore Mount Wutai Theater
Concept - In the open space in front of the theater, join the wall to form a spatial sequence of layers, reducing the mass of the theater
Encore Mount Wutai Theater
Wall detail


Encore Mount Wutai Theater
Folding walls' height from south to north become lower and lower
Encore Mount Wutai Theater
Concept - The façade uses modern materials to form a layered abstract pattern that blends with the environment


Encore Mount Wutai Theater
Concept - The concept of spatial overall structural control transforms the multi-level space in front of the theater into a continuous folding wall that is narrowed and narrowed.

Encore Mount Wutai Theater
Site Plan


Encore Mount Wutai Theater
The angle between each of the two partition walls gradually shrinks with the rise of the wall, and the space is wide and forced. Image Courtesy of BIAD - ZXD ARCHITECTS
Encore Mount Wutai Theater
The height of the folding wall is in vain in the middle, and the visual curve of the rhythm is gradually formed when watching on the road.. Image Courtesy of BIAD - ZXD ARCHITECTS
Encore Mount Wutai Theater
Continuous folding walls form seven semi-enclosed spaces. Image Courtesy of BIAD - ZXD ARCHITECTS

ZXD Architects 朱小地建筑工作室
M +86 18601956912
ZXD Architects 朱小地建筑工作室
85 Dajiang Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China 100005 北京市东城区大江胡同85号吉州会馆