The Xiqu Center, a performance venue and the new home for Chinese opera, recently completed in Hong Kong’s new multi-billion dollar West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD). The Xiqu Center is the first performance venue in WKCD and also the first venue in the world designed for classical Chinese Opera.
The main theater is suspended 90 feet in the air to open up the entire ground level as public space. “It results in a new paradigm of an open, shaded, protective, and generous public plaza inHong Kong’s legendary dense urban fabric,” says John Wong, FASLA, FAAR, Design Principal and Chairman, SWA, in a release.
Xiqu’s ground floor serves as an urban stage designed to facilitate movement, provide a gathering space, and enhance the visitor experience. The landscape and architecture blend together to create a space that feels both indoors and outdoors and features groupings of trees at each entry and a naturally ventilated open-air interior courtyard. Another two outdoor gardens flank the main performance hall on the fourth floor.
See Also: SWA designs people-centric landscape and public realm for Chase Center
The exterior of the building is curved three dimensionally with arched openings strategically located at all corners. A lifted facade provides three main entry areas with access to the ground level. Each entry level is determined by the surrounding site conditions. A public amphitheater with an outdoor performance area is also included.
Revery Architecture and SWA collaborated on the project’s design.
Related Stories
| May 17, 2013
First look: HKS' multipurpose stadium for Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA), the Minnesota Vikings and HKS Sports & Entertainment Group have unveiled the design of the State’s new multi? purpose stadium in Minneapolis, a major milestone in getting the $975 million stadium built on time and on budget.
| May 16, 2013
Chicago unveils $1.1 billion plan for DePaul arena, Navy Pier upgrades
Hoping to send a loud message that Chicago is serious about luring tourism and entertainment spending, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has released details of two initiatives that have been developing for more than a year and that it says will mean $1.1 billion in investment in the McCormick Place and Navy Pier areas.
| Apr 30, 2013
Tips for designing with fire rated glass - AIA/CES course
Kate Steel of Steel Consulting Services offers tips and advice for choosing the correct code-compliant glazing product for every fire-rated application. This BD+C University class is worth 1.0 AIA LU/HSW.
| Apr 24, 2013
Los Angeles may add cool roofs to its building code
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa wants cool roofs added to the city’s building code. He is also asking the Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to create incentives that make it financially attractive for homeowners to install cool roofs.
| Apr 2, 2013
6 lobby design tips
If you do hotels, schools, student unions, office buildings, performing arts centers, transportation facilities, or any structure with a lobby, here are six principles from healthcare lobby design that make for happier users—and more satisfied owners.
| Mar 29, 2013
PBS broadcast to highlight '10 Buildings That Changed America'
WTTW Chicago, in partnership with the Society of Architectural Historians, has produced "10 Builidngs That Changed America," a TV show set to air May 12 on PBS.
| Mar 22, 2013
8 cool cultural projects in the works
A soaring opera center in Hong Kong and a multi-tower music center in Calgary are among the latest cultural projects.
| Feb 25, 2013
10 U.S. cities with the best urban forests
Charlotte, Denver, and Milwaukee are among 10 U.S. cities ranked recently by the conservation organization American Forests for having quality urban forest programs.
| Feb 19, 2013
'Pop-up' proposal would create movable cultural venue for NYC
The Culture Shed, a proposed 170,000-sf project for New York City's Hudson Yards development, could be the ultimate in "pop-up" facilities.
| Feb 6, 2013
Arcadia (Calif.) High School opens $20 million performing arts center
A 60-year old wish for the community of Arcadia has finally come true with the opening of Arcadia Unified School District’s new $20 million Performing Arts Center.
