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