An Assemblage of Difference

Shanghai Hongqiao Performing Arts Centre architectural structure is not only aesthetically beautiful, it’s what’s its going on behind the geometric, glass façade that is of the most importance.

On the newest commercial boulevard in Hongqiao, one of Shanghai’s central activity districts, now sits one of the country’s most advanced buildings. Shanghai Hongqiao Performing Arts Centre is one of the first buildings to receive China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban and Rural Development Green Star accreditation for its sustainable qualities, and is also the first time the architectural language of a building is bringing together two very different cultures of the performing arts, theatre and cinema, and encouraging them to come together, share ideas and inspire one another.

After three rounds of invited competition over a five-year period, Brearley Architects + Urbanists (BAU) was finally awarded the contract to design and construct the Performing Arts Centre. Surrounded by brightly lit shopping malls and an overly excited, commercial environment of the current century, BAU decided that doing less, not more, was to be the most effective strategy for this project. Another goal for the Centre was to use the elements of architecture to encourage both groups of students – traditional theatre and modern cinema – to engage in a welcoming and positive space.

On the one side of Shanghai Hongqiao Performing Arts Centre is a 1000-seat, multi-functional proscenium theatre; or a timber cave as BAU have called it. Contrasting to the grey stone monolith exterior, the interior of the theatre is lined with timber, wrapping the space with a folded surface in the same manner as the building’s façade. On the opposite side of the Centre, the architectural framework showcases more straight, modern lines, and seven cinemas of various sizes are merely an assembly of stacked metal boxes – a 20^th century material for the 20^th century program.

Bringing these two worlds together is one single, enclosed plaza. While each program is its own unique entity, the plaza is an in-between-space in which the differences between the programs are enhanced, the potential for cross-patronage is maximized, and cross-fertilization between the performing arts is encouraged. The plaza houses ticket offices, cafes, flexible exhibition space, and open views to the external plaza and streetscape. The large, folded mesh screen defines the internal plaza, appearing solid in daylight and revealing the lobby when illuminated.

Another key element of this project is the way BAU has used architecture to create a building with an accessible and welcoming presence. External paving runs all the way from the street to create a physical, continuous connection, while both street edges are also entirely glazed with high-transparency glass as to allow a visual relationship with passersby.  Seating alongside planting beds on the east street edge provides shaded amenities for the public, and an open plaza on the south provides neighbouring residents’ a space for dancing and informal performance.

One of the first in the country, Shanghai Hongqiao Performing Arts Centre has also been accredited with China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban and Rural Development (MOHURD) Green star. The initiative includes renewable energy flat plate solar collectors together with air-source heat pumps and a 4-tonne water storage tank producing hot water for the entire building. The project also utilizes screw air-cooling heath pump units for its air conditioning system, and rainwater from the roof and paving is harvested and reused.

Shanghai Hongqiao Performing Arts Centre

Location
No.888 Tianshan Road, Changning District, Shanghai, China

Architect
BAU Project Team

For more information, visit BAU PROJECT TEAM.