Chinese company Domani Architectural Concepts has created a recording studio inside the Guangzhou Opera House, featuring an interior covered with mixed wood panels that contribute to its acoustic performance.
Meilan Music Studio is located on the fourth floor of the opera house designed by Zaha Hadid Architects and opened in 2010 on a site in the central business district of Guangzhou.
Domani Architectural Concepts was approached in 2017 to develop a design for the mixed-use studio complex, which is used for rehearsal and recording sessions by symphony and chamber orchestras, choirs and other musicians.
The music studio is arranged over two floors and includes a large double-height performance space surrounded by several recording rooms and a workspace for music production, as well as relaxation and utility spaces.
“The spaces had to be aesthetically creative, as well as refresh the impression of the traditional music studio while meeting strict acoustic criteria,†said Domani, who was shortlisted in the Civic and Cultural Interior category of the 2021 Dezeen Awards for the project.
The walls and ceiling of the studio are covered with acoustic panels made of solid wood or slats arranged in a seemingly random configuration.
“We aimed to build a chaotic structure with an amazing appearance that seemed to be randomly generated,†the studio told Dezeen. “Design visualizes the spontaneous part of the process of composing music or any kind of creative work.”
The mixed wood elements incorporate integrated lighting and seating, as well as frames around the openings that provide a visual connection between the central performance space and adjacent recording rooms, studios and relaxation areas.
The key consideration for the studio space was to optimize the acoustic conditions, which is why Domani worked with an acoustics company to refine the design and identify suitable materials.
“Due to the overall sound effect requirements of the place, special materials are used for the walls and floors to strengthen sound insulation, control the elasticity of sound waves and prevent humidity and static electricity.” , explained the architects.
“The irregularity of space is designed through the combination of design techniques and material density, to avoid interference from internal standing waves on the recording.”
A bespoke chair was designed for the project by furniture brand A&V, which is part of the Domani group and is led by the company’s design director, Ann Yu.
The folded geometric shape of the 6 Degrees chair is made from a single section of wood. Like the interior of the music studio, its colliding forms are inspired by the creative process of musicians.
The prototypes presented in the spaces are splashed with ink which represents the need to constantly destroy and reconstruct the work as part of this unpredictable process.
Domani Architectural Concepts was established in 2005 and is owned by Domani Group Limited. It focuses on spatial design and related business planning, business consulting and product development.
The Meilan Music Studio is shortlisted in the Civic and Cultural Interior category of the Dezeen Awards alongside a floating church on a canal boat in London and a project undertaken by Kengo Kuma and Associates to renovate Antoni GaudÒs Casa Batlló in Barcelona.
The photograph is by Vincent Wu.
