The Chapel of Sound was created by a Beijing-based architecture office, OPEN in 2021. It is a monolithic open-air concert hall with views of the ruins of the Ming Dynasty-era Great Wall. Chapel of Sound is a completely nature-friendly building. One of the main aims was to minimize the footprint of the concert hall in the valley. The building is built entirely from concrete that is enriched with an aggregate of local mineral-rich rocks and encompasses a semi-outdoor amphitheater, outdoor stage, viewing platforms, and a green room.
One of the main aims was to minimize the footprint of the concert hall in the valley
‘The symphony of nature is what we really wanted people to experience here’
OPEN Said: “We were very aware of the responsibility we had to contribute a thoughtful structure that fits naturally into such a unique landscape. We wanted to create something different, and more importantly, something meaningful. We are now at a time that the question of our relationship with nature as human beings is more acute than ever. Can we be humble enough to hear what nature is murmuring to us? The symphony of nature is what we really wanted people to experience here.”
Architects were drawn to the ways sound reverberates in natural spaces such as caves
Architects showed great respect to the main needs of a concert hall while trying not to ignore nature. One of the most important points was the sound. They studied the ways sound reverberates in natural spaces such as caves. They knew the challenges here was how to create an excellent acoustic environment without introducing additional sound-absorbing materials. Working with acoustic engineers, OPEN looked at the many ways people will experience sound in the concert hall and defined openings that act both as the sound absorption areas and provide a connection with the exterior environment.
