The Beijing International Theatre Center, an expansion of the Beijing People’s Art Theatre, is situated on Wangfujing Street in the Dongcheng District, just east of the Capital Theatre. This comprehensive performance venue integrates drama performances, artistic creation, rehearsals, exhibitions, computer rooms, and parking facilities.
The project added two new theaters to the Beijing People’s Art Theatre: the medium-sized professional drama theater “Cao Yu Theater,” which seats approximately 700, and the “People’s Art Theatre,” with about 300 seats. Covering a total construction area of 23,000 square meters, the building features three floors above ground and four below. The tallest tower reaches 25 meters, constructed with a reinforced concrete frame and shear wall structure.
Located within the hutongs of the old city center, the design employs a compact layout to balance land use with functional needs. The building is oriented north-south, with the smaller theater positioned above the rear stage of the Cao Yu Theater. The exterior harmonizes with the color palette of the Capital Theatre, featuring a simple, elegant, and modern aesthetic. A traditional quadrangle courtyard has been reconstructed outside the theater to blend with its surroundings. Inside, the striking glass brick walls in the front hall catch the eye; the glass bricks are sized to mimic the blue bricks traditionally used in Beijing’s courtyard homes.
The “Cao Yu Theater” uses wood and gray brick as its primary colors, creating a cozy and enclosed atmosphere within the audience hall. The space is well-scaled, stable, and imbued with a sense of tradition and warmth. The seating consists of a pit and a two-story balcony, featuring various textured and contoured surfaces inside. These not only enhance acoustic diffusion but also provide a visual contrast between the warm tones and the dark gray, uneven “grey brick” GRG wall at the back, reflecting the design elements of traditional Beijing residential courtyards.
The “People’s Art Small Theater” features a black box design with black and gray tones. The walls alternate between standard and micro-perforated sound-absorbing surfaces. Each panel is a wedge-shaped unit, arranged randomly and colored in shades ranging from black to warm gray.
Since opening in July 2021, the Beijing International Theatre Center has received highly positive feedback. Building on the Capital Theatre’s rich tradition and embracing a spirit of harmonious diversity, it introduces a contemporary theater experience and has become a significant cultural landmark in the heart of Wangfujing.
Project Drawings
△ General Layout Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Third Floor Plan
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Architectural Design: Hu Yue Studio, Beijing Institute of Architectural Design and Research Co., Ltd
Area: 23,026 m²
Project Year: 2021
Photographer: Xiangfei Chen
Lead Architect: Hu Yue
Design Team: Hu Yue, Tai Fangqing, You Yapeng, Chen Wei, Zhao Mochao, Liang Xuecheng, Chen Xiangfei, Wu Shuang, Zhang Yanping, Xi Qi, Yang Xiaoyu, Ma Yunfei, Xue Shazhou, Zhao Mo, Yan Yi, Shen Wei, Wu Wei, Zhang Lin
Author: Chen Wei
Structural Design: Beijing Institute of Architectural Design and Research Co., Ltd
Construction: Beijing Chengjian Yatai Construction Group Co., Ltd
Stage Craftsmanship: Beijing BOOT Stage Design Consulting Co., Ltd
Acoustic Consultant: East China Architectural Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd
Ancient Architecture Conservation Consultant: Beijing Fangzhou Jiye Architectural Design Co., Ltd
Interior Design Consultant: Zhongfutai Cultural Architecture Co., Ltd
Curtain Wall Consultant: Jianyan Technology Co., Ltd
Lighting Consultant: Tianhe Guangyin Lighting Design (Beijing) Co., Ltd
Location: Beijing, China
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