Longgang International Arts Center

The design of the Longgang International Arts Center seeks to express the lyrical beauty inherent in the forms, details, and materials of traditional musical instruments native to China such as the Pipa, xun, and erhu. More importantly, the design encourages the visitors to imaginatively place themselves inside these musical instruments through invoking their hidden interior spaces and the quality of natural light that enters through their diverse sound and finger openings. The world class performing arts venues, a 1,600 seat grand auditorium and a 600 seat auditorium, and are located in a pavilion recalling the body of a pipa adjacent to the hotel complex and Shenzhen Metro subway stop. A third venue, an experimental black box capable of entertaining over 300 patrons for music, dance or lecture events, is housed in freestanding pavilion in the grand event courtyard that evokes the form and materiality of a xun. The goal of uniting the entire experience of arrival in the grand event courtyard and dramatic preshow foyers with the three venues is to provide a continuous immersive experience of entertainment. The performance venues are complimented by a dramatic 2,000 sm multipurpose hall, foyer bars, and a ground level café. World class accommodations for the performers include three rehearsal halls, VIP dressing rooms, and state-of-the-art scenographic rigging and audiovisual mixing. The design strives to establish meaningful connections between Huangjinshan Park and the central event courtyard while the colonnade along Beier Road provides a grand urban façade for visitors.