As the mountains shelter the land
This performing arts centre by Studio Zhu-Pei,spreads its sculptural roof over the facility below – echoing the local mountain range that hangs over the landscape
Designed by Studio Zhu-Pei,
From the design studio:
Situated between the Cang mountain chain, rising 4000m in height, and 40ks-long Lake Erhai, the city of Dali was a significant stop on the ancient tea and horse road, and is now an important tourism destination.
The old town has largely been preserved and still has some remains of the historic city wall and gate towers.
Inspired by the powerful surrounding landscape, Zhu Pei searched for landscape-related references to solve the architectonic challenges for the Performing Arts Center.
A widely cantilevered rectangular roof spans across a built landscape of free-flowing indoor and outdoor spaces, some of which can be combined as an interacting spatial system.
As with mountains and valleys, the strong shape of the roof reflects the more organic landscape below and points to the old Chinese principle ofyin and yang, where two opposites combine together to form a whole.
Formally expressed as organic-shaped hills, the partly sunken spaces transform into a natural garden landscape, promising a high experiential quality that extends inside to the public theatre.
Program
Theatre; amphitheater; rehearsal hall / multi-functions hall; café/tea/restaurant; design shop; office; loading and back of house function.
Credit list
Project
Project team
Structure
Facade
Acoustics
Architecture, Interior and Landscape Design
Theatre consultant
MEP
Lighting
Construction
Home kitchen bathroom commercial design
New or renovated?
I cover the waterfront
Under the spreading gum tree
