MAD has unveiled the Two Mountains Future Science and Technology City Cultural and Arts Center design in Anji, Zhejiang. The project broke ground in March 2023.

Anji, Zhejiang, located near core cities and regions of the Yangtze River Delta such as Hangzhou, Shanghai, and Nanjing, is the only county to have received the UN Habitat Award and is renowned for its excellent natural ecological environment. It is known as the "Home of Bamboo in China," the "Home of White Tea in China," and also the birthplace of the concept "Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets."

The Anji Cultural and Arts Center, located by the water and overlooking the mountains, is situated in the core starting area of the Two Mountains Future Science and Technology City in Anji. It is adjacent to the Anji International Convention Center and the Fortune Center (CBD), covering an area of approximately 149,000 square meters with a total construction area of about 120,000 square meters.

The project includes six venues: a grand theater

On the east side of the project site is the city, while the west side is bordered by the river and distant mountains, creating a transitional space between nature and the city. The site is not enclosed but instead serves as an open, accessible public space from all directions, inviting citizens to visit at any time.

The overall landscape, reminiscent of earth art, cleanses and purifies the site's atmosphere. The design is centered around visual corridors that connect both sides: the central area of the site is not occupied by a massive building. The central axis becomes an open outdoor platform, offering space for both activities and viewing. In the distance, the mountains, clouds, and sky are visible, filling the space with a sense of ceremony.

The stage on the west side of the axis, by the stream, can serve as a venue for outdoor performances, concerts, and exhibitions. It will also become an important stage for urban life to unfold.

The building volume is evenly distributed across the ground, blending seamlessly beneath the roof. The clever roof design not only meets the functional requirements but also becomes part of the landscape, enhancing the atmosphere of the site.

The undulating form of the tea mountains echoes the building volumes laid out beneath the roof. The tea fields are planted with the renowned Anji white tea, allowing citizens and visitors to experience an immersive connection with nature within the city and enjoy the joy of tea picking.

多个镶嵌在茶山中的庭院成为了场地呼吸的缝隙，这些“空”模糊了室内外的界限。

At the highest point of the site, multiple pieces resembling "bamboo leaves" are scattered seemingly at random, layered and staggered over the tea fields. These elements, while sculptural, also convey a sense of lightness and fluidity. The metallic "bamboo leaf" roof patterns resemble veins, adding a vibrant touch of nature.

The gaps between the "leaves" allow daylight to filter into the interior, brightening the space while also improving the building's energy performance. The self-supporting folded-line curtain wall on the main facade is highly transparent, with a height reaching up to 17 meters, making it the tallest self-supporting full glass curtain wall in China to date.

The main interior spaces of the Grand Theater and Conference Center are arranged across two to three floors, while the other four venues are designed with a single floor plus partial second floors. The Grand Theater auditorium can accommodate 1,300 seats, while the main hall of the International Conference Center can host events and conferences with up to 2,000 participants.

This project utilizes green roofs, permeable paving, sunken green spaces, rainwater resource utilization, and site vertical design to comprehensively control stormwater runoff from source, transport, and end stages, aiming to achieve the goals of sponge city construction.

The Anji Cultural and Arts Center began construction in 2023 and is expected to be completed and in use by 2025.

Anji "Two Mountains" Future Technology City Cultural and Arts Center
Anji, China
2023 - 2025

Type: Cultural Architecture
Site Area: Approximately 149,000 square meters
Building Area: Approximately 120,000 square meters

Lead Partners: Ma Yansong, Dang Qun, Saho Yano
Deputy Partners: Li Jian, Liu Huiying
Design Team: Sun Shouquan, Dong Xue, Li Cunhao, Li Guangchong, Zhang Xiaomei, Wang Xianbo, Xi Kaiyu, Chen Bohan, Zhao Lilu, Deng Wei, Lin Yijun, Liu Yiqing, Qiao Xuantong, Hao Yue, Zou Dengyu, Jose Maria Urbiola, Wang Zhuyun, Shang Li, Wu Aoqian, Song Chi, Zeng Tianxing

Owner: Zhejiang Anji Construction Holding Group Co., Ltd.
EPC General Contractor Joint Venture: Tongji University Architectural Design & Research Institute (Group) Co., Ltd., China State Construction Engineering Corporation No. 8 Bureau Ltd.
Facade Consultant: Tongji University Architectural Design & Research Institute (Group) Co., Ltd.
Landscape Design (Tea Fields + Interior Courtyards): Pan Asia Landscape Design (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Beijing Yunhaitiancheng Landscape Design Consulting Co., Ltd.
Landscape Design (Site): Beijing Xiangye Landscape Design Co., Ltd.
Acoustic Consultant: East China Architectural Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd. - Acoustic and Theatre Design Institute
Interior Design: MAD, Jianfeng Construction Group Co., Ltd.
Theatre Technical Consulting, Stagecraft & Conference Systems Design: Poly (Beijing) Theatre Construction Consulting Co., Ltd.
Lighting Consultant (Overall + Theatre): Beijing Ningzhijing Lighting Design Co., Ltd.
Lighting Consultant (Conference + Podium): Shanghai Ruiyi Environmental Design Co., Ltd.
Signage Consultant: Beijing Dasi Advertising Co., Ltd., Chengdian (Shanghai) Architectural Design Consulting Co., Ltd.