A brutalist monument stranded on the beach, a lone chapel surrounded by sand, and a solid cloud-like form, are some of the architectural marvels that dot the seaside in the Aranya Qinhuangdao community, 160 miles away from the east of Beijing. A real-estate project that took off in 2013 at the tipping point of China’s real estate bubble, the 220-hectare community is envisioned as a retreat from the demands of urban life. A rural haven for people looking for escape, a major draw is Aranya’s emphasis on a slow-paced life focused on nature and community reinforced by its iconic buildings.

Lately, real estate ventures have banked on notable architects to draw in the public by designing architectural spaces that speak not only to demand but also seem to engender a sense of community and belonging. The truth is such projects also inevitably increase the value of the land they are situated on. Today, the exclusive arts and culture community Aranya comprises hotels, villas and private units, a library, a community hall, a museum, an art centre, and endless facilities designed by established Chinese architecture practices. Among these, the Chapel of Music is Beijing-based Vector Architects’ fourth project within the community. They have previously worked on the Seashore Chapel and the Lonely Library, with sculptural works set against the sparse backdrop of the beach.

The new chapel design is conceived to be "an exquisite music instrument" that guests and visitors can use as a space of congregation and contemplation. In 2015, the residents of Aranya signed a pact to cultivate a "cultural, emotional and spiritual community”. Attesting to this vision, the chapel creates quiet, meditative spaces through strategic zoning and a fort-like exterior. Located in the very heart of the community plaza, known as Youyi Bay, it is surrounded by the canteen and market to the north, the residential apartments to the west, and hotels and shops to the south. In a way, its position makes it an ideal congregational anchor for the residents of the community.

With a strong focus on contextuality in their work, the Chapel of Music’s fluid curves respond to its built surroundings and the flow of people in and out of the plaza, creating various pockets of public spaces. An impressive ramp leads the visitor into the chapel. Inside the built volume, two spaces emerge: the music hall and the meditation rotunda. The music hall on the upper level, has been designed to seat 48 people, with a sunken stage in the centre. It is also designed to function as an open-air theatre with the help of a retractable circular pneumatic roof. As music fills the space as performances unfold, it wafts down to the meditation rotunda on the lower level through nine brass sound transmission tubes embedded in the seating.

As one descends the stairs from the music hall, one is greeted by views of the beach through a window incorporated into the otherwise solid eastern façade. On the lower level, the meditation rotunda is a double-height space with polished concrete seating arranged along the wall. Natural light percolates into the space through operable glass panels at the corners of the wall and ceiling. The room is otherwise sealed. The soft light, music and feeling of seclusion from the bare concrete interior design heighten the feeling of serenity once inside.

'Orchestrating sound, light and air', Vector Architects' goal was to create 'a new type of music hall space.' The innovative use of the section, the minimalist design all ensure visitors can immerse themselves into the performance they have come to attend. Inviting people in, the brutalist music box is a space where visitors can seek a cathartic moment, akin to the feeling of listening to the soaring notes of a classical music performance.

Project Details

Name: Chapel of Music
Location: Beidaihe New District, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
Area:
Floor Area: 455 sqm
Footprint Area: 261 sqm
Year of Completion: 2023
Architect: Vector Architects
Design team:
Principal Architect: Dong Gong
Project Architects: Zhao Liangliang, Liu Shida
Design Management: Zhang Han, Li Jinteng
Site Architects: Zeng Zihao, Tan Yeqian
Project Team: Zeng Zihao, Li Mofei, Zhang Liwen
Consultants:
Structural Design: Ma Zhigang, Zhang SuiPing, Zhang Lei
MEP Design: Qi Xudong, Zhang Fujun, Wang Yafeng, Liu Xiaojie, Yu Weipeng
LDI: Dalian Architectural Design & Research Institute Co.,Ltd
LDI Project Architect: Lin Chuanyu
LDI Architect: Jiang Yue
Lighting Consultant: TORYO International Lighting Design (Beijing) Center Co., Ltd.
Acoustic Consultant: JH Theatre Architecture Design Consulting Company
Signage Designer: Beijing SEED Cultural Media Co., Ltd.