Images by Zaha Hadid Architects
According to Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) official LinkedIn Page, the global renowned architectural firm honored a birthplace of Cantonese Opera, a creative expression center dating back over 700 years to the Song Dynasty, as the design concept for the was inspired by the flowing forms of its traditional costumes. The concept evokes the unique silk ‘water sleeves’ which is also referred to as (the white extensions of robes worn by performers of Cantonese Opera who convey emotion with their animated gestures). In an exclusive expression of design prowess, Zaha Hadid Architects incorporates multiple structures in the center’s design that crescendo and flare rising at its western edge to frame the main theatre.
Design Concept
Taking cues from the traditional Lingnan architectural style of the region, the firm logically extended the roof to overhangs to maintain high levels of natural light throughout the interiors while protecting the building and its outdoor spaces within Dongguan’s humid subtropical climate. The center’s inventive design concept adores its environment as it opens to its sheltered public plaza, garden terraces and waterfront promenade on Songshan Lake. Local, national and international performers were the primary subjects in the minds of Zaha Hadid Architects design team while designing the 1,200-seat Grand Theatre and the Exhibition Hall for productions, besides the conferences and exhibitions. Smaller productions and children’s theatre activities are hosted by the 400-seat Multifunction Hall.
As described by Virgile Simon Bertrand on Zaha Hadid Architects official LinkedIn Page, the aesthetic theatre’s walls and ceiling are inventively defined by 100,000 exclusive slender spines that systematically enhance sound diffusion, control reverberation and disperse standing soundwaves to enrich acoustic clarity, ensuring a consistent auditory experience for every seat within the house. This captivating field of static spines that vary in length, density and tone animates the interior with the perception of a subtle, rhythmic vibrancy.
In order to manage and reduce construction time and resources, the installation of prefabricated ultra-high-performance concrete cladding cast from reusable molds, CO2 emissions and waste while extending the building’s life-cycle. Technically, the well placed rooftop photovoltaic arrays and rainwater harvesting is to generate on-site renewable energy and reduce water consumption, while its landscapes combine permeable surfaces and re-planted wetlands to mitigate flood risk and enhance local biodiversity.
