Architects
East China Architectural Design & Research Institute (ECADI) together with Snøhetta and Arcplus Architectural Decoration & Landscape Design Research Institute
Location
Shanghai, China
Opening
2026
Solution
The seating in three theatres at the Shanghai Grand Opera House is upholstered in Memory 2 in diverse colours.
The 146,000 sqm Shanghai Grand Opera House sits on the banks of the Huangpu River. The seating in the venue’s three theatres is upholstered in the Kvadrat textile Memory 2, chosen for its aesthetic, three-dimensional texture, and subtle variation from one seat to another.
In the 2,000-seat Harmony Hall, which incorporates Asia's largest theatre stage, the seats are upholstered in a vivid, dignified ‘China Red’ tone that matches the main walls. The space is main hall for opera, dance, drama, and other large-scale productions.
The seating in the more intimate 1,200-seat Soar Theatre is upholstered in a custom lavender shade. This pure hue creates a romantic contrast with the softer interior palette, which is dominated by woody notes.
Defined by a borderless concept, the 1,000-seat Open Stage features a 13-metre-tall glass wall that brings the lush greenery outside into the theatre. The seating is covered in Memory 2 in a subtly vibrant brown shade, which interacts with the abundant natural light to reveal rich colour and textural
Cui Zhongfang, Chief Architect, ECADI: “As an architect, my choice of Kvadrat products stems from successful collaborations across multiple projects. Several qualities have left a particularly strong impression on me: Design and craftsmanship, performance, and colour. Kvadrat products offer outstanding colour expression.”
One of the city’s major cultural landmarks, the Shanghai Grand Opera House captures the dynamism of performing arts and the human body moving through space and time. The space has gained recognition through various awards and nominations, including the 2026 fib Award for Outstanding Concrete Structures, while seeking to connect and engage in a dialogue with its urban context.