National Centre For The Performing Arts, Beijing, China

By 2Modern

While the Olympic Games in Beijing are approaching, another grand project for the host city is finished. The National Centre for the Performing Arts – 149.500 square meters – is located on the Chang’An Avenue in Beijing. Designed by the famous French Architect Paul Andreu and his team, The National Centre For The Performing Arts is separated from the Tian An Men Square by The Great Hall of the People.

Resembling an island made of thin air, rising from a man-made lake, the building houses an opera house (2416 seats), a concert hall (2017 seats) and two theatres (one of 1040 seats) included in a titanium and glass shell which houses the public space. Guests arrive in the building after walking through a hallway that goes underneath the lake.

The titanium shell is broken by a glass curtain in north-south direction that gradually widens from top to bottom The glass opens the building like a curtain which, as we move away, reveals the interior : the theatres, exhibition and public spaces. The titanium protects and covers, creating darker areas. The concept of the National Centre for the Performing Arts is a cultural island in the middle of a lake.

Other materials, like wood panelling and marble, are used to create interesting moods. The use of traditional Chinese motifs is also evident in certain parts of the building, but it is being done with taste and not gimmicky.

The elliptical dome (nicknamed The Egg by the locals) measures 212 meters in east-west direction, 144 meters in north-south direction, and is 46 meters high. The main entrance is at the north side. The location, immediately to the west of Tian An Men Square and the Great Hall of People, combined with the theatre's futuristic design, created considerable controversy.

The architect countered that although there is indeed value in ancient traditional Chinese architecture, Beijing must also include modern architecture, as the capital of the country and an international city of great importance. His design, with large open space, water, trees, was specially designed to complement the red walls of ancient buildings and the Great Hall of People, in order to melt into the surroundings as opposed to standing out against them. Still, many locals believe that the contrast between the building and its immediate environment is too large.

A big controversy over the cost of the building is still heating up conversations in China: at least 80% of the annual operational costs must be subsidized by the government for at least the first three years after the opening, and for the rest of its operational life, at least 60% of the annual operational cost must be subsidized by the government.

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February 17, 2008

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