China-based OPEN Architecture has won a competition to design the Yichang Grand Theatre, a performing arts center located at the convergence of the Yangtze River and its tributary Huangbai River in China. The building will cover approximately 70,000 square meters and feature a 1600-seat grand theater, a 1200-seat concert hall, a 400-seat black box, and two outdoor theaters, one on the rooftop and another by the water. The structure will be partially floating to accommodate the high groundwater level close to the river, which is necessary to accommodate the Yangtze River Conservation Plan and the global climate catastrophe.
Fluid and Organic Design
The architects at OPEN Architecture looked at the structure in terms of movement, resulting in a fluid and organic design that resembles an ever-evolving body of water. Depending on the angle from which it is viewed, the building takes on many forms, such as ripples, mountain ranges, clouds, and mist, which capture and sense the site’s energy.
Sustainability Measures
In response to the local environment and sustainable development, the construction of the grand theatre will require careful consideration of environmental impact. The building will float partially, lifting the main functional spaces high above the ground to accommodate the high groundwater level close to the river and permit the natural flow from the hilly hinterland to the coastline. The architects used both passive and active measures to make the building a contributor to the peninsula’s sustainable development. Most of the land has been left open for natural vegetation and areas with permeable paving for public use.
The structure’s outer surface features curved, matte anodized aluminum tubes that capture the minute variations in light and shadow throughout the day, giving the impression of flowing metal. The portion of the structure facing inland features a double-layered facade, with an exterior layer of aluminum tubes that blends in with the rest of the building and an interior layer of basic stacked geometry that responds to complex internal functional needs. In-between spaces created by the different distances between the two layers, such as a big semi-outdoor garden and cascading terraced gardens, help to control the microclimate of the building. The grand theater will feature diverse spaces, including rehearsal rooms, event and exhibition spaces, coffee shops, restaurants, and observation decks.
