The Yichang Grand Theater, which looks like some sort of bizarre alien spacecraft has landed in China, is the latest high-profile project by OPEN Architecture, the company behind Chapel of Sound and Sun Tower. Its unusual exterior boasts a flowing design inspired by nearby rivers.
Reminiscent of some of MAD’s more experimental designs, the Yichang Grand Theater sits at the tip of the Pinghu Peninsula, where China’s Yangtze and Huangbai Rivers meet.
The building covers an area of 70,000 square meters (approximately 750,000 square feet), and the exterior consists primarily of curved brushed anodized aluminum tubing. Raised off the ground on stilts, OPEN Architecture says it will protect against potential flooding and reduce the excavation work required. Part of the roof will also be available, allowing it to host semi-outdoor gardens, terraced terraced gardens, and an outdoor theater. There is also another outdoor theater on the ground by the water.
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The interior includes a 1,600-seat grand theatre, a 1,200-seat concert hall, and a smaller, simpler 400-seat black box theater. Additionally, the building will house educational facilities, event and exhibition spaces, rehearsal rooms, a coffee shop, restaurants, and multiple observation decks.
Yichang Grand Theater’s considerable sustainability features have been created in collaboration with engineering giant Arup. While natural ventilation and natural light will be the main focus, wind turbines will help reduce the impact on the grid. A rainwater collection system and graywater recycling have been installed, while ground source heat pumps and highly efficient heating and cooling systems help maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
The Yichang Grand Theater was commissioned after an architectural competition, but it is not yet known when it will be completed.
Source: Open Architecture
