OPEN Architecture’s latest project, the Valley Music Hall, has recently been completed. After four years of careful design and construction, this much-anticipated semi-outdoor music hall is set to open in spring 2022. Situated in Jinshanling, Chengde, Hebei Province, approximately a two-hour drive from downtown Beijing, the building resembles a massive ancient rock nestled into a valley, with a distant view of the Great Wall.
The project was designed by OPEN’s founding partners, Li Hu and Huang Wenjing. They describe the building as “carved from the inside out, starting from sound.” They refer to it as the Chapel of Sound, aiming for visitors to “see” the shape of sound or “hear” the sound of silence. The architects hope this concert hall will become a sanctuary, fostering a profound connection between people and nature. Visitors can experience the shifting sunlight, rain, snow, and seasons, while hearing the subtle chirps of birds and insects often overlooked in daily life.
The venue includes a semi-outdoor music hall, multiple viewing platforms overlooking the valley, an outdoor stage facing a grassy slope, and a musician’s studio, along with other indoor spaces. It can host various professional performances such as chamber music, music festivals, and dance events, as well as serve as a place for quiet reflection or community gatherings. Since winter in the northern mountainous region sees few visitors, the concert hall operates only during warmer seasons to avoid excessive energy consumption, allowing the semi-outdoor design to be practical.
The openings facing the sky and surrounding mountains serve both architectural and acoustic purposes. They bring natural light and scenic views into the space while also functioning as sound absorbers. Their size and shape were meticulously calculated using acoustic principles. Along with the folded concrete surfaces acting as sound-diffusing elements, these features deliver optimal sound quality for performances. When no events are taking place, visitors can sit quietly inside the hall, listening to birdsong, cicadas, the gentle breeze, or watching the sun’s movements—enjoying a symphony of nature.
The integration of indoor and outdoor spaces made weather-resistant concrete the ideal material choice. The entire building is cast in dark gray concrete, with aggregates mixed with locally sourced mineral-rich rocks. The layered facade draws inspiration from the sedimentary rock formations of the nearby mountains. The stacked and smoothly cut layers express the rationality of human construction, rather than simply mimicking natural stone forms.
The architectural form directly responds to its site: an inverted conical shape with a broad top tapering to a narrow base fits the valley’s contours and gently settles into the landscape with minimal environmental impact. This shape also reflects the stepped audience seating inside the concert hall.
Structural engineer Arup collaborated closely with OPEN to realize a highly challenging design. The facade is suspended in layers, with the furthest point extending 12 meters outward, resembling a cliff rushing toward the viewer. The structure consists of two concrete shells interconnected at key stress points.
Custom details such as stainless steel doors, bronze signage, handrails, and hand-polished copper mirrors in the bathrooms add warmth and tactile contrast to the rough concrete surfaces, enriching the tactile and visual experience.
The bold lines emphasize the strength of the concrete, while countless folds create a metallic sheen under the sunlight’s carving. Within the primal cave-like atmosphere, thoughtful details enhance functionality: rainwater drains through roof openings, flowing swiftly along designated paths without disturbing most of the audience seating.
Ascending the “canyon” — a winding staircase between the inner and outer concrete shells — visitors reach the rooftop platform, where a breathtaking panoramic view unfolds. The layered distant mountains form a magnificent landscape painting, with the building immersed within, like ears turned skyward, listening to the silent echoes of the empty valley.
Under the comprehensive planning and coordination of the architects, this project exemplifies close collaboration and mutual respect among architects, engineers, consultants, and builders. The result is a fully integrated design where architecture, structure, acoustics, and interiors harmoniously coexist.
Project Drawings
△ Hand-drawn Sketch
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Architectural Design: OPEN Architecture Firm
Area: 790 m²
Project Year: 2021
Photographers: Lei Tantan, Zhu Runzi, Ni Nan, Right Angle Architecture Photography
Manufacturers: FLOS, Hafele, IKE STAR, Ikea, Lutron, Reckli, Reggiani, TARGTTI, VitrA
Lead Architects: Li Hu, Huang Wenjing
Design Team: Zhou Tingting, Fang Guanying, Huang Zetian, Lin Bihong, Chen Xiuyuan, Cai Zhuoqun, Guo Junchen, Tang Ziqiao
Client: Anaya
Lighting Design: Ningzhijing
Theater and Acoustic Consultant: Huang Zhanchun Theater Architectural Design Consultant (Beijing) Co., Ltd
Landscape Design: Guangzhou Tu Ren Landscape Consultant Co., Ltd
Logo Design: OPEN Architecture
Structural, Mechanical, and Electrical Design: Arup
Location: Chengde, China
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