Piano house

The Piano house is a building complex in Huainan consisting of a large black grand piano and a transparent violin, both reproduced at full scale. These two structures house exhibition spaces for urban planning displays and two concert halls for musical performances.

The project was designed in 2007 by architecture students from Hefei University of Technology as part of urban development efforts in the Shannan district. Its creation marked a turning point in the city's rapid modernization during this growth period.

The building demonstrates how contemporary Chinese architects engage with Western classical music traditions through innovative design, creating a shared language between music and architecture. Visitors can experience this fusion directly as they move through the structures.

Access to the grand piano is gained through escalators running through the interior of the transparent violin, creating a distinctive journey. Plan time to explore both structures fully, as the exhibitions and concert halls occupy different areas of the complex.

The escalators guide visitors through the interior glass structure of the violin, turning each ascent into a passage through the instrument itself. This technical solution merges functional design with artistic concept in an unexpected way.