Chapel of Sound / OPEN Architecture

Curated by 韩双羽 - HAN Shuangyu

Architects: OPEN Architecture
Area: 790 m²
Year: 2021
Photographs:Jonathan Leijonhufvud, Runzi Zhu, Nan Ni, Right Angle
Manufacturers: Lutron, Reggiani, FLOS, Hafele, IKE STAR, Ikea, Reckli, TARGTTI, VitrA
Lighting Consultant: Ning Field Lighting Design
Theater Acoustic Consultant: JH Theatre Architecture Design Consulting Company
Landscape Design: Guangzhou Turen Landscape Planning Co. Ltd.
Interior Design: OPEN Architecture

Text description provided by the architects. 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. 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.