Earth Valley Theater is the first Chinese open-air performance venue with the theme of human-bird interactive experiences. Situated within the Mingling Mountains to the southwest of "Pottery Capital" Yixing City, it is part of Yaohu Town. The design revolves around the idea of "an invitation from birds,” awakening an entrancing avian kingdom.

Stretching east to west, a slender valley converges with an open expanse at the site's western edge. With a 270m-deep valley and a 240m-wide open area, the site is hugged by luxuriant bamboo forests on both sides of the mountains. Appreciating this gorgeous natural setting, the architect imagines the theater as a meandering piece of earth art, with each step as a prelude to the performance.

The theater contains three distinctive sections: a central auditorium that can accommodate 2,300 individuals; a terrace area for ticketing services, retail outlets, and logistical support; and an aviary zone that doubles as a bird observation platform. The design brings new life to locally-sourced “clay” and “bamboo” materials. The auditorium and terrace area are themed by “clay.” The combination of terracotta, bricks, and tiles, all crafted from sculpted concrete, brings a dynamic texture and integrates the structure with the earth. The aviaries are enveloped in intricately woven bamboo-textured sheets, serving as a stage backdrop that connects to the forest.

In this project, GOA facilitated an integrated design approach incorporating landscape, architecture, and interior by collaborating with professionals from various fields. This collaboration integrates Director Fan Yue's artistic vision with GOA's architectural philosophy, forming a synergistic relationship where each concept enhances the other. The avian consultant team provided meticulous technical support in the intricate design of the aviary zone and performance area. Additionally, the material consultant team, renowned for its expertise in Disney landscape design, has contributed significantly to implementing and applying materials.