In 2018, the city of Yiwu, in China’s Zhejiang Province, hosted an international competition to design the ‘Yiwu Grand Theater’ on an island near the south bank of the Dongyang River, which flows through the city.

The contest was part of an effort by the city to elevate itself from a successful center of trade, to a hub of culture. The competition’s finalists included arata isozaki, christian de portzamparc, GMP, KDG, and the winner, MAD architects, led by Ma Yansong.
Chinese architecture studio designed a theatre surrounded by water, with the region’s mountains as its backdrop and topped with "glass sails", a protective canopy that give appearance of a chinese ships sailing on the river. The theatre complex will consist of two theatres and a conference centre alongside a large plaza.

The subtle curves roof are echo of Jiangnan-style eaves of the former vernacular architecture, typical of the region. Meanwhile, the transparency and lightness of the material express the texture of thin, silky fabric, creating a dynamic rhythm that makes them appear as if they are blowing in the wind.
 

Description of project by MAD architects

Yiwu, in China’s Zhejiang province, has established itself internationally for its strong economy, as the world’s largest wholesale commodities market. Domestically, it is traditionally known as a city of trade, thus making it an integral part of the country’s ‘Belt and Road Initiative.’ While being a hub of growing international commerce, the city decided in 2018 that it would focus on culture to further elevate its soft power, and hosted an international competition to design the ‘Yiwu Grand Theater.’ MAD Architects, led by Ma Yansong, competed against four other global architecture firms, coming out ahead of Arata Isozaki & Associates, Atelier Christian de Portzamparc, GMP, and KDG, to secure the project.

Located on the south bank of the Dongyang River, the ‘Yiwu Grand Theater’ encompasses a grand theater (1600 seats), medium theater (1200 seats), and international conference center (2000 person capacity). Positioned with the mountains in the distance as its backdrop, and the water as its stage, MAD’s design responds to its locale, and appears as a boat, floating on the river. It is defined by a layering of glass sails that are reminiscent of the Chinese junks that once transported goods across the waters, while their subtle curves echo the Jiangnan-style eaves of the ancient vernacular architecture that is typical of the region. The transparency and lightness of the glass express the texture of thin, silky fabric, creating a dynamic rhythm that makes them appear as if they are blowing in the wind. They act as a protective canopy around the building, resonating with the river, elegantly floating above the water’s surface, setting a romantic atmosphere.

To reduce overall energy consumption, MAD has conceived the theater with a passive solar design. Thus, the semi-transparent glass curtain wall has been developed to not only act as a shading system, but to also optimize the use of natural light within the indoor public spaces, forming a solar greenhouse effect in the winter. In the summer, it serves as the ventilation system, enhancing airflow circulation inside and outside of the building.

Envisioned as a public space for the city, the ‘Yiwu Grand Theater’ is easily accessed from all directions. Vehicular transportation can enter from the south shore, while tree-lined foot bridges from the north offer pedestrians the opportunity to meander along the water and enjoy views of the city, theater, and greater waterfront as they approach the building. Emphasizing public interaction, the scheme features an amphitheater and large open plaza that extends into the water on its southern edge, while landscaped terraces offer elevated views of the site’s surroundings, and areas of quiet contemplation – an immersive natural experience in the urban context.

The ‘Yiwu Grand Theater’ has been designed as a monument for the city, that will serve to connect inhabitants to the waterfront from a new perspective. In its completion, it will stand as a world-class venue that will attract visitors from around the globe, putting Yiwu on the map as a cultural destination. Construction on the ‘Yiwu Grand Theater’ is expected to begin in 2020.

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Architects
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MAD architects — Principal Partners in Charge.- Ma Yansong, Dang Qun, Yosuke Hayano.
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Design team
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Zhu Yuhao, Zheng Chengwen, Kazushi Miyamoto, Shang Li, Ma Yin, Jordan Demer, Guo Wenjia, Zhu Zixiao
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Collaborators
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Associate Partners in Charge.- Fu Changrui, Liu Huiying
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Clients
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Administration Committee of Silk Road New District of Yiwu.
Culture, Broadcasting & Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Yiwu.
Yiwu City Construction Investment Group Limited.
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Area
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Site area.- 47,000 square meters. Building area.- 95,290 square meters (Ground.- 48,942 square meters; Underground.- 46,348 square meters).
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MAD Office, Beijing, China. MAD is a Beijing-based architecture design office dedicated to creating innovative projects. The firm combines a sophisticated design philosophy with advanced technology in addressing and furthering issues in contemporary architecture and urbanity.

The firm has been the recipient of numerous awards including the 2006 Architectural League of New York's Young Architects Forum Award.

MAD's ongoing projects include the international competition-winning Absolute Tower in Toronto, Canada; The Tianjin Sinosteel International Plaza, a 320M tall tower in Tianjin, China; the Mongolian Museum in Inner Mongolia, China, and a private villa in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The firm has also won numerous international design competitions, including the 2006 Absolute Tower Competition in Toronto; the 2005 Solar Plaza Competition in Guangzhou, China, and the 2004 Shanghai National Software Outsourcing Base.

MAD's work has been published worldwide, and the office has also presented its designs in a series of exhibitions. In 2006, MAD was shown at the ‘MAD in China' exhibition in Venice during the Architecture Biennial, and the ‘MAD Under Construction' exhibition at the Tokyo Gallery in Beijing. In March of 2007, MAD will be shown at ‘MAD.exe' an exhibition at the Danish Architecture Centre in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Ma Yansong, Yosuke Hayano and Qun Dand.

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Published on: July 8, 2019
Cite: "MAD’s ‘Yiwu Grand Theater’ Winning Proposal. Tradition floating on the water" METALOCUS. Accessed
<https://www.metalocus.es/en/news/mads-yiwu-grand-theater-winning-proposal-tradition-floating-water> ISSN 1139-6415
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