China Philharmonic Hall
In October 2016, the China Philharmonic Orchestra revealed MAD Architects’ design for the new China Philharmonic Hall. Designed in collaboration with renowned acoustic expert Yasuhisa Toyota, the concert hall will be the orchestra’s first permanent home.
The goal is to create a state-of-the-art concert hall that will serve as a cultural exchange and China’s new hub for classical music.
The 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.
The hall will be located at the south side of the Workers Stadium East Gate in Beijing’s Central Business District, covering a site of 11,600 sq. m.
The building will be surrounded by a lotus pond and lush greenery, with the translucent façade gently emerging from the landscape like a piece of jade. The idea is that people walking past the building, will be attracted to its soft glow.
Inside the lobby, daylight will be diffused through the translucent white curtain wall, making the audience ‘feel like they are entering an installation of light and space’, according to Ma Yansong, founder and principal partner of MAD Architects.
The hall, which will contain 1,600 seats, is laid out in a vineyard style, with the seating surrounding the stage, rising up in serried rows in the manner of the sloping terraces. From the ceiling white acoustic panels are designed to resemble the segments of a lotus flower, with natural light entering from above.
The complex also includes a 400-seat rehearsal hall with an interior made of curved wooden walls, as well as a professional recording studio, a library, a collection gallery, offices, rehearsal rooms, and other auxiliary function spaces.
Construction will begin later this year, and is expected to be completed in 2019.
Images and content courtesy of MAD Architects.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.