zha opens cultural space on the waterfront of Songshan Lake
ZHA Songshan Lake Expo and Exhibition Center opens in Dongguan, Chinaopening the venue with a performance by the China National Symphony Orchestra. It is in the heart of a mixed-use development masterplan on the waterfront of Yuehe Lake, the center is designed as an urban and cultural destination that brings together performances, exhibitions and public spaces for the city’s growing community.
Based on the cultural heritage of Dongguan, the project is inspired by Cantonese Opera, an art form with roots in the region dating back more than 700 years. The sweeping volumes that form the building refer to the flowing ‘water sleeves’ worn by the artists, creating a composition of interlocking forms that rise towards the central theater and exhibition hall.
all images from Virgile Simon Bertrandcourtesy of ZHA
Cantonese opera and lingnan architecture inform the design
The roof of the center extends outwards in a series of wide overhangs updated by the upturned eaves of traditional Lingnan architecture. These shaded exterior spaces help mediate Dongguan’s humid subtropical climate while connecting the interior spaces to a public square, garden terraces, and a promenade overlooking Songshan Lake.
The project includes a 1,200-seat Grand Theatre, a 400-seat Multipurpose Hall and exhibition facilities capable of hosting performances, conferences, industry events and cultural programming throughout the year. The opening of the space also coincides with of practice recent transition from Zaha Hadid Architects to ZHA, following the conclusion of the licensing agreement with the Zaha Hadid Foundation.
ultra-high-performance precast concrete cladding wraps the exterior of the building
acoustic engineering shapes the interior of the grand theater
Inside the Grand Theatre, the walls and ceilings are lined with approximately 100,000 thin acoustic rods that vary in length, density and pitch. Designed to diffuse sound, control reverberation and reduce standing waves, the installation helps maintain consistent acoustic performance throughout the auditorium while creating a textured interior landscape.
The project also incorporates precast super high-performance concrete cladding cast from reusable molds, reducing construction waste and shortening installation time. Photovoltaic panels, rainwater harvesting systems and permeable landscape surfaces contribute to the building’s environmental strategy, while restored wetlands along the waterfront support local biodiversity and help mitigate flood risk.
As a new cultural anchor for the Songshan Lake area, the center combines performances, exhibitions and public space in a design shaped by local traditions, modern construction methods and the region’s evolving coastal landscape.
The extended roof overhangs refer to the upturned eaves of traditional Lingnan architecture
