Founded in the late 13th Century, China's Guizhou "City in Forest" Province blends ancient and modern architecture, lush gardens and bustling streets. Home to over 30 ethnic groups, its buildings resemble a smaller New York City, but one built to withstand a monsoon climate.

Nestled among the city's taller buildings is the Guiyang Theatre, China's newest multi-purpose theatre complex, designed by Shenzhen Hongtao Design Co., Ltd. From above, the 36,000-square-meter facility resembles a large white piano. Inside, the complex features conference rooms, an exposition hall, and an entertainment area with movie theater.

The structure's cleanly detailed finishes include ceiling and wall applications of metal systems from Hunter Douglas. Overhead, the spacious theater hall features "deep box" linear aluminum ceilings, selected for their ability to "extend the spatial tension and bring an imposing presence to the hall." Functional qualities - including acoustical control and seamless integration with lighting and HVAC systems - complement the aesthetic effect. In the theater's colorful "movie street," the architects specified perforated metal panels on the walls to "sharpen the artistry of the space," using colors to create a striking kaleidoscopic effect.

The architects' and builder's extreme attention to detail earned Guiyang Theatre the Luban Prize, which is China's highest honor for excellence and quality construction. Other winners have included the Suzhou Logistic Centre and PHASE III of Yantian International Container Terminal (YICT) in South China.