Sunset view of the opera house from the pond with the small theatre in the foreground.

China may have recently put out a ban on "weird architecture," but this stunning opera house, recently opened in the northern city of Harbin, has evaded the ban.

Following in the tradition of iconic opera houses around the globe — think of Sydney's well-known waterside structure, or the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles — Harbin now has its own unique cathedral to the classic art.

Designed by MAD Architects, a Beijing-based firm responsible for major projects around the globe, the opera house is intended to look like an organic outgrowth of its environment.

Hufton+Crow View of the grand theatre’s main stage and the proscenium with surrounding wood-clad walls.

It's full of natural materials, undulating shapes, and innovative ways to bring light into a massive space.

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Located on Harbin's wetlands, the structure takes up about 850,000 square feet of the site's 444 acres.

Adam Mørk A night-time view of the illuminated grand lobby and grand theatre of the Harbin Opera House.

It features a grand theatre that can host over 1,600 patrons and a smaller theatre to accommodate an intimate audience of 400.

During the snowy winter, the opera house almost disappears into the frozen expanse.

Founding principal of MAD Architects, Ma Yansong, said: "We envision Harbin Opera House as a cultural centre of the future – a tremendous performance venue, as well as a dramatic public space that embodies the integration of human, art and the city identity, while synergistically blending with the surrounding nature".

Hufton+Crow The sculpted wood staircase leading to the grand theatre.

Yansong, the principal architect, told Forbes that he wanted the building to look more like a 'living creature' than an 'industrial product.'

It is constructed to take maximum advantage of natural light, and of the views of the surrounding wetlands.

Inside, wood has been matched with white aluminium and glass to create a sleek but warm environment, filled with bright light from the honeycombed ceiling. The ceiling design is meant to mimic snow and ice.

Adam Mørk The opera house's rooftop terrace. The building is intended to deepen the emotional connection of the public with the environment.

MAD won the contract for the opera house in 2010 and in late 2015, unveiled the completed structure.

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Adam Mørk A view from side of the grand theatre staircase shows the light-filled spaces inside the opera house.

Hufton+Crow The facade in contrast to the Harbin skyline. The building is strikingly different to the others seen in the city.

Hufton+Crow The lobby of the grand theatre with people inside gives a sense of scale and the size of the venue.