Architects 
MAD architects

Location 
Anji, China

Opening 
2026 

Solution 

The 1300 seats in the Grand Theater auditorium are upholstered in custom-made colour Steelcut Trio, in subtle tonal variations of three reddish shades.

MAD Architects, led by Ma Yansong, has unveiled the design of the 149,000 sqm Anji Culture and Art Center in China, which comprises six venues under overlapping roofs that recall scattered bamboo leaves. Kvadrat textiles are specified for the auditorium seating in the Grand Theatre, which draws inspiration from the project’s defining motif: the leaf.

Both the form and the materiality of the delicately curved auditorium seats are designed by the architects. They are all upholstered in Steelcut Trio in subtle tonal variations of three warm primary colours – an atypical colour-blocking approach that creates a rich, layered effect. 

Steelcut Trio was chosen for the auditorium after a rigorous selection process. Critically, it aligns with the artistic vision for the space, offers refined tactility, and meets all the technical requirements.

“From visual appearance to its inherent quality, Kvadrat demonstrate exceptional texture far beyond ordinary textiles, while delivering outstanding visual and tactile experiences. With their stringent production standards and superior weaving craftsmanship, Kvadrat has consistently provided designers with an extensive range of high-quality product options.”

MAD architects

Anji Culture and Art Center incorporates the Grand Theater, Conference Center, Leisure Center, Sports Center, Youth Activity Center, and Art Education Center. The main interior spaces of the Grand Theater and the Conference Center follow a two- to three-story layout, while the other four venues combine a first floor with a partial second floor.

Surrounded by the green tea fields unique to Anji, the project serves as a transitional space connecting the region’s natural and built environments. Its undulating shape echoes the silhouette of the surrounding hills, and it is arranged along an axis, providing visitors with spectacular views of the sky and the surrounding topography.