Highlights
By Jin Yingying
The conceptual design for the much-anticipated Hangzhou Future International Performing Arts Center, which includes the Hangzhou Concert Hall and Yuhang Grand Theater, has officially been unveiled. Following a global competition and several selection rounds, the project’s vision--shaped by imagery of “mountains, silk, and the verdant hues of Song Dynasty art”--is now becoming a reality.
With a total construction area of approximately 143,000 square meters, the center will feature a 1,700-seat main hall and a 600-seat medium hall for the Hangzhou Concert Hall, along with four smaller performance spaces. The Yuhang Grand Theater will house a 1,600-seat main auditorium and a 700-seat multifunctional hall. Additional facilities, including a multi-purpose center and cultural spaces, are designed to meet international standards for hosting world-class performances.
The winning design, created by the renowned Zaha Hadid Architects, seamlessly blends elements of local heritage with cutting-edge architecture. Famous for iconic works such as the Heydar Aliyev Center in Azerbaijan and the Guangzhou Opera House, Zaha Hadid Architects tailored the Hangzhou design to emphasize the region’s unique Jiangnan aesthetic.
The theme, “Dancing Silk and Resonant Mountains”, comes to life with three overlapping green rooftops resembling cascading silk, harmonizing the Hangzhou Concert Hall and Yuhang Grand Theater into a cohesive yet distinct visual ensemble. Positioned along a central axis, the two venues form a courtyard, blending height, scale, and perspective into a harmonious whole that mirrors the natural beauty of mountains and water.
The innovative design includes rooftop theaters beneath overlapping eaves and an outdoor lawn theater near the wetland, inviting public interaction and enhancing the center’s role as a shared cultural space.
Construction is scheduled to begin this December with the outdoor lawn theater, and the full project is expected to be completed by late 2028.
Once completed, the center will become a key platform for international art exchange, a hub for global talent, and a new landmark in Hangzhou. Poised to be the largest and most advanced facility of its kind in Zhejiang Province, it will not only enhance the city’s cultural identity but also cement its position on the global arts stage.