ZHA Completes Swooping Songshan Lake Exhibition and Performance Centre in China

ZHA has completed a new performing arts centre on the waterfront at Songshan Lake in Guangdong province. The studio formerly known as Zaha Hadid Architects designed the building as a civic anchor for the Yuehe Lake redevelopment.

The centre comprises three interconnected volumes with flowing, swooping shapes. These forms draw inspiration from the silk sleeves of traditional Cantonese opera costumes.

An undulating 1,200-seat Grand Theatre forms the main element. It sits alongside an exhibition hall and a 400-seat multifunctional hall.

Light-grey aluminium panels clad the exterior. The material choice helps minimise solar heat gain while strips of jagged glazing break up the surfaces.

The three volumes connect through a first-floor terrace. They rise at the western edge to frame the main theatre and exhibition spaces.

Inside, dramatic curves continue with sweeping walls made from glass-reinforced gypsum. These frame staircases and walkways beneath skylights.

Terracotta-toned walls pair with wooden floors and ceilings. The palette creates a warm, textured environment throughout the public areas.

The Grand Theatre features tiered seating enclosed by undulating walls. These walls incorporate 100,000 individual spines that vary in length, density and tone.

The spines serve an acoustic purpose. They enhance sound diffusion, control reverberation and disperse standing sound waves in the performance space.

At ground level, the centre opens to a waterfront promenade, gardens and a public plaza. This layout integrates the building with its lakeside setting.

The project forms part of broader development in China's Greater Bay Area. ZHA recently completed another large cultural and sports complex in the same region.