Zaha Hadid Architects

Guangzhou Opera House

Guangzhou Opera House
© Iwan Baan

GUANGZHOU OPERA HOUSE

Zaha Hadid Architects

LOCATION
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

PROJECT DIRECTOR
Woody K.T. Yao, Patrik Schumacher

AREA
70000.0 sqm

ARCHITECTS
Zaha Hadid Architects

PROJECT YEAR
2010

Text description provided by architect.

Like pebbles in a stream smoothed by erosion, the Guangzhou Opera House sits in perfect harmony with its riverside location. The Opera House is at the heart of Guangzhou’s cultural development.

Guangzhou Opera House
© Iwan Baan
Guangzhou Opera House
© Iwan Baan

Its unique twin-boulder design enhances the city by opening it to the Pearl River, unifying the adjacent cultural buildings with the towers of international finance in Guangzhou’s Zhujiang new town.

The 1,800-seat auditorium of the Opera House houses the very latest acoustic technology, and the smaller 400-seat multifunction hall is designed for performance art, opera and concerts in the round.

Guangzhou Opera House
© Iwan Baan
Guangzhou Opera House
© Iwan Baan

The design evolved from the concepts of a natural landscape and the fascinating interplay between architecture and nature; engaging with the principles of erosion, geology and topography. The Guangzhou Opera House design has been particularly influenced by river valleys – and the way in which they are transformed by erosion.

Fold lines in this landscape define territories and zones within the Opera House, cutting dramatic interior and exterior canyons for circulation, lobbies and cafes, and allowing natural light to penetrate deep into the building. Smooth transitions between disparate elements and different levels continue this landscape analogy.

Guangzhou Opera House
© Iwan Baan
Guangzhou Opera House
© Iwan Baan

Custom moulded glass-fibre reinforced gypsum (GFRC) units have been used for the interior of the auditorium to continue the architectural language of fluidity and seamlessness. The Guangzhou Opera House has been the catalyst for the development of cultural facilities in the city including new museums, library and archive.

The Opera House design is the latest realization of Zaha Hadid Architects’ unique exploration of contextual urban relationships, combining the cultural traditions that have shaped Guangzhou’s history, with the ambition and optimism that will create its future.

Guangzhou Opera House
© Iwan Baan


Guangzhou Opera House
Section
Guangzhou Opera House
Section


Guangzhou Opera House
Plan
Guangzhou Opera House
Plan
Guangzhou Opera House
Plan
Guangzhou Opera House
Plan
Guangzhou Opera House
Plan
Guangzhou Opera House
Plan

Guangzhou Opera House
Plan


Guangzhou Opera House
Elevation
Guangzhou Opera House
Elevation
Guangzhou Opera House
Elevation
Guangzhou Opera House
Elevation


Guangzhou Opera House
Detail
Guangzhou Opera House
Detail
Guangzhou Opera House
Detail
Guangzhou Opera House
Detail
Guangzhou Opera House
Detail
Guangzhou Opera House
Detail
Guangzhou Opera House
Detail
Guangzhou Opera House
Detail

Guangzhou Opera House
Detail

Zaha Hadid Architects
T +44 20 72535147 F +44 20 72518322
Zaha Hadid Architects
101 Goswell Rd., London EC1V 7EZ, United Kingdom