A New Landmark by Vector Architects
The Chapel of Music is the latest addition to the Aranya Qinhuangdao community, crafted by Vector Architects. Unlike its predecessors—the Seashore Library, Seashore Chapel, and Restaurant y Sea—this chapel is not located on the seafront. Instead, it occupies a central position within the community plaza, known as Youyi Bay. This location places it amidst various communal amenities, including a canteen and market to the north, residential apartments to the west, and hotels and shops to the south.
Design Concept: A Musical Instrument in Architecture
Envisioned as a grand musical instrument, the Chapel of Music aims to harmonize sound, light, and air, creating an innovative music hall space. The design is rooted in its sectional arrangement, featuring a Meditation Rotunda on the lower level and a Skylight Music Hall above it. The Music Hall boasts a sunken stage, appearing as a suspended disc when viewed from the rotunda below. Seating for forty-eight spectators is arranged on two levels around the stage. Sound from performances fills the hall and channels down to the rotunda through nine brass sound transmission tubes embedded among the seats. A retractable circular pneumatic roof crowns the hall, allowing it to transform into an outdoor theater in good weather.
The Meditation Rotunda
The nine-meter-high Meditation Rotunda on the lower floor is designed to create a serene and immersive environment. Operable glass panels at the corners of the walls allow natural light to gently diffuse into the space through fifty-centimeter-wide gaps. Additional light filters down from gaps around the suspended stage above. Polished concrete seating lines the walls, providing comfortable lounge chairs for visitors to relax and immerse themselves in music, light, and the ambient breeze. A large window on the eastern façade offers a view of the sea horizon, providing a contemplative moment as visitors exit the chapel.
Integration with the Community
The chapel’s design responds thoughtfully to its central location. Three concave curves on its outer walls harmonize with the surrounding buildings, creating a variety of public spaces with different atmospheres and scales. By elevating the structure, the open character of the plaza is preserved, while providing sheltered resting areas for visitors. The entrance lobby, accessible via a long ramp, is situated on the raised first floor. This ramp faces the canteen and market to the north, inviting people into the chapel and guiding them on a journey through music and space.
Conclusion
The Chapel of Music by Vector Architects is a masterful blend of architecture and acoustics, offering a unique venue for musical performances and contemplation. Its thoughtful integration with the community and innovative design elements make it a significant addition to the Aranya Qinhuangdao landscape. Through its harmonious design, the chapel not only enhances the aesthetic of the plaza but also enriches the cultural and social fabric of the community.
