The Shanghai Conservatory of Music is China’s foremost music academy, training professionals from across the globe in both Western and Chinese music. Located at the junction of the 21st century commercial city and early 20th century residential architecture, its educational campus serves an important link between the arts and the surrounding community. Perkins Eastman’s design for the Conservatory’s new performing arts center and museum is a gateway building that draws people in and anchors an important historic part of the city. The grand performance space is a jewel-like sculptural object wrapped in large petals of lacquered wood and enclosed within a three-story transparent atrium. Clearly visible both day and night from all angles of approach, the building stands out yet in the urban scape responds sensitively to its surroundings. In addition to the grand hall, the building includes three other performance halls as well as a music library and museum to display the Conservatory’s vast traditional Chinese instrument collection.
Perkins Eastman’s master plan design also comprises a residential and educational campus a few miles away. Described as “one body, two wings,” the master plan brings together two modern campuses where the school can serve its student population in streamlined facilities and fulfill its mission of delivering world-class musical training.