Open Architecture is building a concert hall in a valley north of Beijing, designed to look "as if a strange and prehistoric boulder had fallen there long ago".
The Beijing-based studio looked to ancient rock formations and shells when designing the irregular form of the Chapel of Sound.

Currently under construction, the structure is being made from concrete mixed with an aggregate of crushed rocks and minerals.
This is being sculpted into a craggy form with a hollow interior, designed to optimise sound quality during musical performances.

"The layered form of the building takes inspiration from the sedimentary rock formations of the surrounding mountains, while asserting the human hands involved in its construction and avoiding mere mimicry of natural rock," said Open Architecture, which is led by architects Li Hu and Huang Wenjing. "Against the backdrop of the rough and cave-like space, details designed with care and warmth offer quiet comfort as visitors take respite in both natural and musical sound."

The Chapel of Sound is being built in a valley famous for containing remnants of the Ming Great Wall, which today forms the largest section of the Great Wall of China.
It will encompass a sheltered amphitheater, an outdoor stage and several viewing platforms, making it suitable for small gatherings and quiet contemplation, as well as large-scale musical performances.

Digital modelling software was used to optimise the shape of the inter...