Piano house

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Piano house, Musical building in Huainan, China

The building consists of two main structures reproduced at 1:50 scale: a large black grand piano and a transparent violin housing the access escalators.

Designed in 2007 by students of Hefei University of Technology, this structure required an investment of 35 million dollars. The architectural project was commissioned by the local government as part of the urban development of the new Shannan district, signaling a period of rapid city growth.

This building exemplifies contemporary China's openness to Western influences, particularly European classical music, while demonstrating Chinese architects' ability to create innovative forms that engage with universal musical heritage.

The building houses an exhibition space displaying urban planning maps of Shannan district. Two concert halls allow for musical performances inside the monumental piano and violin structures.

The escalators provide access to the piano from inside the transparent violin, a technical feat that turns each ascent into a traversal through the glass instrument.

Location: Huainan

GPS coordinates: 32.60740,117.00728

Latest update: November 20, 2025 16:31

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