MAD Architects has unveiled plans for a new project in Foshan, Guangdong, China. The project, Nanhai Arts Center, will have a striking design inspired by the lapping waves of the nearby lake.
The Nanhai Arts Center will be 121,275 square metres and will include a large theatre including a 1,500-seat amphitheatre. There will also be a multi-purpose hall plus a sports centre. There will also be rooftop terraces, shops and restaurants. Initial images show an intricate wooden structure of the interior.
The undulating roofline will have a maximum height of 57 metres and will consist of a translucent white ETFE plastic. This will connect the different buildings and create semi-outdoor spaces. This opens up the buildings to natural light and ventilation. The roofline not only resembles a wave, but is also inspired by the oversized eaves of traditional local architecture.
Nanhai’s traditional culture is characterised by the beat of the drums and the movement of the boats during the Dragon Boat Festival race, as well as in the kung fu performed during the lion dance. MAD Architects sought to reflect this dynamism in their design. The Nanhai Art Centre resembles a continuous wave of water, with three main buildings emerging from beneath the floating canopy. The semi-outdoor space allows the landscape to blend with the lakeside surroundings and invites residents to immerse themselves in the waterside scenery.
The Nanhai Arts Center will have solar panels that will partly meet its own electricity needs. It will also have a rainwater harvesting system and use greenery to provide shade to the interior.
Construction of the Nanhai Arts Center will begin this year and is expected to be completed by 2029. The project is MAD's latest work that draws inspiration from nature. The Chinese firm previously referenced mountains, bamboo leaves and clouds.
