The Panda Performing Arts Center is situated in Ya’an, Sichuan. The design features two “cradle-like” volumes—one large and one smaller. The larger structure sits at the center of the site, housing the main performance spaces. The smaller volume, positioned to the right, accommodates actor dormitories, rehearsal halls, and auxiliary facilities. Both volumes feature sloping roofs facing the audience, covered with native plants that thrive in the region’s abundant rainfall. This green roofing reduces maintenance costs while blending the architecture with its natural surroundings. The connected volumes, with their charming and playful forms, evoke the image of a mother panda and her cub.
To preserve the integrity of the main building, the entrance is designed as a sunken plaza. Visitors descend stairs to reach a spacious, open front hall. This ‘lower then lift’ design enhances the spatial experience and builds anticipation. The front hall serves as a resting area, security checkpoint, and ticket verification zone, also providing shelter from Ya’an’s frequent rain. The main facade facing this hall features green vertical grids resembling a bamboo forest, symbolizing the panda’s natural habitat and hinting at the panda-themed performances to come.
Beyond the front hall, visitors enter a walkway performance space showcasing various panda-related exhibits and shows before reaching the main auditorium, which seats 1,200 guests. The expansive stage surrounds the audience, creating an immersive and engaging performance experience.
The building’s exterior is clad in perforated aluminum panels designed to evoke a “furry” texture. Each panel is a long strip with a 6:1 length-to-width ratio. The front and middle sections are fixed to an internal frame, while the rear section cantilevers outward, creating a feather-like effect. This innovative method simplifies complex 3D shapes into manageable 2D elements, reducing costs and construction complexity. The panels are arranged in a double-layer staggered pattern, producing three different levels of transparency thanks to their semi-translucent nature. Interior LED lighting enhances the facade with dynamic effects at night.
Visitors can access the green roof via a two-story staircase. The roof features two viewing platforms, where guests can stroll among the vegetation. The rooftop greenery seamlessly connects to the surrounding mountains and forests, offering a peaceful retreat from urban life and a chance to reconnect with nature.
Project Drawings
△ General Layout Plan
△ Floor Plan
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Architect: Zhu Xiaodi Architectural Firm
Area: 27,878 m²
Year: 2024
Photographer: Zhang Zheping
Lead Architect: Zhu Xiaodi
Design Team: Liu Liang, Ma Tiangang, Xiao Ruyi
Performance Operator: Yu Shang Mei Mei Cultural Development Co., Ltd
Client: Ya’an Culture and Tourism Group
Location: Ya’an, Sichuan
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up