Heatherwick Studio Designs Hainan Performing Arts Center in China
Heatherwick Studios was chosen to design a tropical opera house on Hainan Island, the southernmost island of China. This is the studio’s first opera house or music venue project. The design has three performance spaces: an opera house, a concert hall and a theater, all set under a vast canopy that references the island’s unique geology.
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The inspiration behind the design came from the volcanic landscape and the costumes, colors and movements of the Hainan Opera. This structure has been developed through in-depth analysis and physical and immersive digital modeling to accommodate local ecosystems and climates, creating an architecture that cools the visitor and performer’s environment while reducing energy consumption and costs. created.
The center can accommodate approximately 3,800 people, combining space for arts, learning, rehearsals and performances. The venue will offer visitors everything from large-scale opera, ballet and musicals to avant-garde dramas, fashion and immersive multimedia performances.
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Many opera houses are isolated from the surroundings and only come to life when performances are taking place. I wanted to create a space that is an extension of the city and can contribute to the life of the city all day long. Therefore, the canopy protects the mixture of different spaces that form the outdoor village of which the hall is part. It blends the form of performance with the form of island culture, making the opera more accessible and providing a space for everyone to meet, whether they have a ticket or not. –Heatherwick Studio Partner and Group Leader Eliot Postma
The design is a contest entry sponsored by the Kaiguchi Tourism and Culture Investment Holding Group. Construction of the main building is scheduled to begin at the end of 2022.
Earlier this year, Heatherwick Studio proposed Leaf, a dynamic multi-level pier that promotes the concept of “community spirit, activity, equality, play, and unity.” The project will feature a plant-covered platform built in the Han River, providing visitors with a recreational and cultural space throughout the floating platform.
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