The Breathtaking Harbin Opera House in China by MAD Architects

Project: Harbin Opera House
Architects: MAD Architects
Location: Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
Area: 850 000 sq ft
Year: 2015
Photographs by: Adam Mørk, Iwan Baan

Harbin Opera House by MAD Architects

The northern Chinese city of Harbin is known for its dramatic climate and natural landscapes. In fact, this city is the host of China’s coolest annual tradition – the world-famous Ice and Snow Festival.
Thanks to the mad skills of MAD Architects, Harbin is now also the home of the brand new Harbin Opera House which was completed in 2015 and spans across 850 000 square feet.

This amazing structure is built on the Harbin Cultural Island and comprises a theater holding over 1,600 as well as a more intimate auditorium of 400. On top of that, the Harbin Opera House has a rooftop terrace that offers views of the Harbin metropolitan skyline.

From the architects: “We envision Harbin Opera House as a cultural center of the future – a tremendous performance venue, as well as a dramatic public space that embodies the integration of human, art and the city identity, while synergistically blending with the surrounding nature.”

The Harbin Opera House was designed in response to the force and spirit of the northern city’s untamed wilderness and frigid climate. Its structure appears as if it was sculpted by the wind and water while it seamlessly blends in with the surrounding nature and topography.

The exterior’s architecture references the sinuous landscape of the surrounding area with its curvilinear facade composed of smooth white aluminum panels which melts into the snowy environment during the winter months.

The grand theater is clad in rich wood which presents a warm and inviting welcome. The wooden walls are sculpted from Manchurian Ash which wraps around the main stage and theater setting.