Shunde Opera House
Shunde, China
(Competition - Winning Project)
Nordic Office for Architecture’s vision for the Shunde Grand Opera House in China was selected as the winner of the international competition by the jury. The concept is a cultural centre rooted in Shunde’s history, with an active and forward-looking complex. On the ground floor is a museum focused on the past, while the upper level contains spaces for contemporary performances. The academy at the top will educate, inspire and nurture future talent.
“With the Shunde Cultural Centre, we have developed an extroverted public building concept where locals and visitors can experience Shunde’s rich traditions and world-class performances on a range of formal and informal stages.” – Thomas Fagernes, Partner in Charge, Nordic - Office of Architecture
As an intimate meeting place between performer and audience, the opera stage features a rich and luxurious interior with deep red seats set against dark wood surfaces and patterned silk fabrics from the region, creating a warm atmosphere with the local context. Each of the venues has dedicated raised areas in the foyer, with the ability for all to operate simultaneously.
The complex also includes a large symphony hall with a design inspired by rice terraces, offering soft and flowing lines with good sight lines to the stage.
Working alongside Thomas Fagernes and his team at Nordic Architects, the Theatre Projects team were responsible for the scenographic and acoustic design, the latter covered by Sébastien Jouan.
Year: 2018
