cantilevered lattice roof tops yangliping performing arts center in china

between the cang mountain chain, and the 40 kilometers long lake erhai, yangliping performing arts center by studio zhu pei takes place in the city of dali, china, an important tourism destination. the center was previously a concept under construction and is now finally open to the public.

all images courtesy of studio zhu pei

zhu pei were inspired by the powerful surrounding landscape and searched for related references to solve the architectonic challenges for the performing arts center. a widely cantilevered rectangular roof spans across a built landscape of free-flowing indoor and outdoor spaces, some of which can be combined as an interacting spatial system. as with mountains and valleys, the strong shape of the roof reflects the more organic landscape below and points to the old chinese principle of yin and yang, where two opposites form a whole together.

formally expressed as organic-shaped hills, the partly sunken spaces become like a natural garden landscape, promising a high experiential quality, which continues into the public theatre inside. the space comprises a theatre, an amphitheater, a rehearsal hall, a café/restaurant, a design shop, and an office. the building is defined by the adaptations in landscape and climate that define the region making it more submerged within its surrounding. moreover, the wooden lattice form allows light to enter, creating a game of shadows and illuminating the topography.

project info:

name: yangliping performing arts center 

designers: zhu pei

location: dali, china

lead designer: edwin lam, shuhei nakamura

project in charge: virginia melnyk

project team: han mo, he fan, you changchen, wu zhigang, gary poon, guo nan, ke jun, liu ling, wang peng, wang zheng, ding xinyue, yang shengchen, feng chaoying, wang di, wang dan, chen yida, chen yuchuan, han yi, jia bin, li gao, lin wendi, li zijian, song yang, sun shuaishuai, yuan ye, zhang yi, zhao jiancheng

theater consultant: ducks scéno, creative solution integration ltd.

structural consultant: professor fu xueyi, master of national engineering survey and design

MEP consultant: ccdi

façade consultant: shenzhen dadi facade technology co.,ltd.

acoustic consultant: china ippr international engineering co.,ltd.

client: yang liping arts & culture co.,ltd.