Open Architecture OPEN建筑事务所

Chapel of Sound

CHAPEL OF SOUND

OPEN Architecture

Chapel of Sound
© Jonathan Leijonhufvud

MEP AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
ARUP

MANUFACTURERS
Lutron, Hafele, Ikea, Reckli, Reggiani, Vitra, FLOS, IKE STAR, TARGTTI

SIGNAGE DESIGN
OPEN Architecture

PRINCIPALS IN CHARGE
Li Hu, Huang Wenjing

THEATER ACOUSTIC CONSULTANT
JH Theatre Architecture Design Consulting Company

LIGHTING CONSULTANT
Ning Field Lighting Design

LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Guangzhou Turen Landscape Planning Co. Ltd.

DESIGN TEAM
Tingting Zhou, Kuanyin Fang, Zetian Huang, Bihong Lin, Xiuyuan Chen, Zhuoqun Cai, Chunchen Kuo, Ziqiao Tang

CLIENT
Aranya International Cultural Development Co., Ltd.

INTERIOR DESIGN
Open Architecture

PHOTOGRAPHS
Jonathan Leijonhufvud, Runzi Zhu, Nan Ni, Right Angle

AREA
790 m²

YEAR
2021

LOCATION
Chengde, China

CATAGORY
Amphitheater

Chapel of Sound
valley covered in snow. Image © Nan Ni

Text description provided by architect.

Nestled in a mountainous valley two hours away by car from the center of Beijing, The Chapel of Sound is a monolithic open-air concert hall with views to the ruins of the Ming Dynasty-era Great Wall.

Designed by Beijing-based architecture office, OPEN, to look as a mysterious boulder that had gently fallen into place, the building is built entirely from concrete that is enriched with an aggregate of local mineral-rich rocks, and encompasses a semi-outdoor amphitheater, outdoor stage, viewing platforms, and a green room.

Chapel of Sound
valley covered in snow. Image © Right Angle
Chapel of Sound
© Jonathan Leijonhufvud

While designed to capture the unfamiliar and deeply touching experience of music performed in the cradle of nature, the architects also wanted people just to calm down and listen to the sound of nature, which they believe is profoundly inspiring and healing.

When there is no performance, the concert hall is also a tranquil space for contemplation and community gatherings with stunning views of the sky and the surrounding landscape.

OPEN’s founding partners Li Hu and Huang Wenjing were driven by a desire to minimise the footprint of the concert hall in the valley, creating a structure that was in dialogue with impressive natural landscape, while also feeling undeniably man made.

Chapel of Sound
inverted cone shaped structure. Image © Jonathan Leijonhufvud
Chapel of Sound
the building touches the ground with minimum footprint. Image © Runzi Zhu
Chapel of Sound
openings on the wall. Image © Jonathan Leijonhufvud

The resulting rock-like structure is composed of an inner and outer shell with the space between operating like a truss, and was ultimately achieved through close collaboration with international engineering firm, Arup.

Formed from concrete, each striation cantilevers out from the previous layer to create the inverted cone shape.

Winding staircases weave through the building to a rooftop platform that offers panoramic views of the valley and Great Wall. In the interior spaces, accents of bronze for details such as handrails and doors are used to create a warm contrast against the concrete.

Chapel of Sound
© Jonathan Leijonhufvud
Chapel of Sound
© Jonathan Leijonhufvud
Chapel of Sound
© Jonathan Leijonhufvud

The brief for the project was very open which inspired the architects to research all aspects of performance, looking at how the behaviors of sound could be a driving force behind the final shape of a building; Li and Huang described wanting to: “see the shape of sound”. 

Ultimately, they were drawn to the ways sound reverberates in natural spaces such as caves.

Chapel of Sound
opening on the roof. Image © Jonathan Leijonhufvud
Chapel of Sound
rooftop viewing terrace. Image © Jonathan Leijonhufvud

Having designed theaters and concert halls, they knew the challenges here was how to create excellent acoustic environment without introducing additional sound absorbing materials.

Working with acoustic engineers, OPEN looked at the many ways people will experience sound in the concert hall and defined openings that act both as the sound absorption areas and providing a connection with the exterior environment.

Chapel of Sound
3F exit. Image © Runzi Zhu
Chapel of Sound
semi-outdoor amphitheater. Image © Runzi Zhu

OPEN Said: “We were very aware of the responsibility we had to contribute a thoughtful structure that fits naturally into such a unique landscape.

We wanted to create something different, and more importantly, something meaningful.

We are now at a time that the question of our relationship with nature as human beings is more acute than ever.

Chapel of Sound
skylight above the stage. Image Courtesy of OPEN Architecture
Chapel of Sound
© Jonathan Leijonhufvud
Chapel of Sound
semi-outdoor amphitheater. Image © Jonathan Leijonhufvud

Can we be humble enough to hear what nature is murmuring to us? The symphony of nature is what we really wanted people to experience here.”

There is an inherent air of mystery around the Chapel of Sound that draws you in as you approach the building.

Chapel of Sound
main entry. Image © Jonathan Leijonhufvud
Chapel of Sound
signage. Image © Jonathan Leijonhufvud

This extends to how people will interact with the space, from being a place for individual reflection to a venue for large-scale concerts, the structure can be experienced in many different ways.

Huang said: “We wanted the definition of the space to be not so absolute, thus allowing for possibilities.

Chapel of Sound
2F corridor. Image © Runzi Zhu
Chapel of Sound
valley view terrace. Image © Nan Ni

Solitary or communal, music or sound of nature, gazing into the starry sky or connecting with one’s inner self - it’s open to the interpretation of the users”.

With no heating or air-conditioning, the Chapel of Sound consumes minimum energy, something OPEN was very conscious of when designing the building.

Chapel of Sound
GF corridor. Image © Jonathan Leijonhufvud
Chapel of Sound
stairs. Image © Jonathan Leijonhufvud
Chapel of Sound
semi-outdoor amphitheater. Image © Jonathan Leijonhufvud

The openings also allow the natural elements to come inside, a void in the centre of the rooftop allows daylight to enter the structure and naturally illuminates the performance spaces.

When it rains the water will also cascade through the void, however, inspired by the Pantheon, OPEN designed a drainage system that quickly drains the water away.

Li and Huang spent over 10 years training and working in the United States and as a result are very conscious of moving away from traditionally “Eastern” or “Western” ideas of architecture, particularly when it comes to cultural spaces.

Chapel of Sound
© Jonathan Leijonhufvud
Chapel of Sound
outdoor stage facing to a gentle slope. Image © Jonathan Leijonhufvud

OPEN understands that the perceived differences in how cultures experience events and spaces are overstated and through their architecture strive to demonstrate that architecture has the power to connect people with each other, with nature, and with our own past and future.



Chapel of Sound
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Chapel of Sound
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Chapel of Sound
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Open Architecture OPEN建筑事务所
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Open Architecture OPEN建筑事务所
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