Snøhetta create cultural landmark with 'unfolding fan' roof

The Shanghai Grand Opera House designed by Tenderstream member Snøhetta is nearing completion, forming part of a new urban masterplan that aims to place the city at the forefront of the globe, economically, scientifically, and culturally. The opera house is expected to become one of the major cultural landmarks of Shanghai, attracting a broad audience through offering both traditional and Chinese opera performances, classical concerts and more experimental performances that will attract a younger audience. 

Striking new images reveal key features of the roof, which is designed to evoke an unfolding fan, capturing the dynamism of dance and the human body. The radial movements of the roof form a spiral staircase that connects ground and sky, while creating views towards the city and the Huangpu river banks. The spiralling, fanning motions extend throughout the project, into the lobby, the halls, and the three auditoriums. 

The building’s white exterior contrasts with the soft silk used for the interior lining of the 2,000 seat main auditorium. Oak wood forms the main floors for the galleries and hall, ensuring good acoustic properties. Expansive glass panes let in natural light, which changes the experience of the building throughout the day and from season to season. At night, exterior lights alter the appearance of the stage towers, transforming them into glowing lanterns, illuminating the roof and skyline.

Snøhetta founder Kjetil Trædal Thorsen states: “The Shanghai Grand Opera House is a natural progression of our previous work with designing performing arts centres. It is a culmination of the competence and insight gained through projects such as the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, the Busan Opera House in South Korea, the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts in Canada, and the Théâtre Nanterre-Amandiers renovation in Paris. The Shanghai Grand Opera House is a product of our contextual understanding and values, designed to promote public ownership of the building for the people of Shanghai and beyond.”

Lucy Nordberg
Tenderstream Head of Research

This tender was first published by Tenderstream on 03.08.2017 here

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