36
PROJECT REPORT: CULTURAL, CIVIC & FAITH BUILDINGS
Designing a complex inspired by its surroundings was key to how the scheme enhances the Bao’an district as a whole. “The integration between architecture and landscape becomes a statement of how the Bao’an Cultural District development responds to its greater ecological environment,” Yim explains. “The design of the performing arts centre serves to enliven the external environment of the whole district.”
Facades & fly tower
The buildings were all designed with openings in facades, “unwrapped skins,” to further enhance the connection between them and their surroundings. “They maintain an organic and sleek design, while engaging the external landscape with the interior environment.” This also helps softens the “harshness” of the cityscape adjacent to the complex and helps unite the commercial, cultural and ecological elements across the project. The performing arts centre has a double facade system. The outer part is formed of white aluminium perforated panels, towards the ”monolithic, unified look.” Again, this was designed in part to represent the way water erodes rock. “All panels are laid on rows of varying width running diagonally to add an extra layer of fluidity and also respond to the programme, by controlling the natural light being drawn into the space.” The inner facade material varies, compromising a mixture of window wall system, louvres and solid walls.
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
As well as drawing inspiration from the rock erosion process, the perforated facade concept was also inspired by traditional Chinese building screens and shadow walls, and pays homage to ancient Chinese crafts, such as wood and ivory carving. It produces “dramatic visual effects recalling light shimmering on the bay”, says the practice.
It was a fundamendal client requirement that the performing arts centre would be suitable for hosting prestigious, internationally-renowned performing companies. It was therefore essential to include a fly tower – a substantial, tall space rising above the performance stage that houses a system of pulleys and rigs, allowing crew to quickly and discreetly move elements such as scenery, equipment, lights etc, on and off stage. It has been used to create a striking visual focal point, tilting away from the main part of the building at 15 degrees. Sky bridges connect it to the main building, which offer views out over the bay. “It gives a unique character to the mass of the centre, differentiating it from the other buildings in the complex,” explains Yim. From the base of the tower, a wave-like volume slopes down and opens out to accommodate a restaurant, further connecting the centre to the external plaza.
Internal programme The architects wanted the “dynamic architectural language” of the exterior, and the “analogy of rock erosion and
ADF JULY 2022
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
