kubota & bachmann architects: busan opera house

'busan opera house' by kubota & bachmann architects in busan, south korea
all imates courtesy kubota & bachmann architects


internationally-practicing office kubota & bachmann architects (toshihiro kubota, yves bachmann)
has completed a design entry into the open international competition for the 'busan opera house' in
busan north port, south korea. drawing from the circular design the 'taegeuk' and the oriental elements
of harmony and balance, the design aims to successfully integrate into the existing master plan and
lend a new and creative identity to the site.



exterior view from vehicle and pedestrian bridge to main entrance


situated on the sourthern end of a new artificial island, the region is a cultural junction of museums,
public parks, theatres, a maritime culture center, cruise center and waterfront causeway. the form of
the project responds to the island's outline as well as the silhouette of the surrounding mountainscape.
subtly undulating in its volume, the design creates a void at the center of its layout. this space serves
as the pivoting point of the building's organization, connecting the opera, the multipurpose theater
and the multipurpose hall together in a loop. the outdoor courtyard which includes a pond that connects
to the sea, provides a venue for a variety of outdoor events.



view from entrance hall toward opera theatre


in order to reference the overlaying of different cultures present in the project, the facade design is
an abstract skin of symbols - korean alphabet, lain alphabet, and musical notations - that have been
layered together to create an aesthetic pattern. the curved facade also features an LED screen system
that simultaneously protects the foyer from direct sunlight. 

the results of the competition will be announced in mid august 2011 with an expected ground breaking
scheduled for 2014.



circulation space from entrance hall



circular foyer bridge and water garden



facade



night view looking towards the waterfront spectacle platforms area



projected images on facade



night street view



master plan



3D model perspectives















schematic diagram
(left) classic organization
(right) new organization



exploded axonometric



floor plan / level 0



floor plan / rehearsal hall and administration level



floor plan / balcony level



longitudinal section



facade treatment



facade make-up


project info:

client: busan metropolitan city
type of competition: open international competition
site area: 35,000 m2
building surface: 60,000 m2

designer: toshihiro kubota, yves bachmann
landscape architect: bassinet turquin paysage
environmental engineer: oyvind vessia
perspectives: sebastien rageul
architects: ikbal bouaita
artist collaboration: clement valla