tadao ando: shanghai poly theater

‘shanghai poly theater’ by tadao ando, shanghai, china hand rendering by tadao ando at the gallery GA in tokyo, japan image © designboom

currently being presented at the gallery GA in tokyo, japan, is the exhibition ‘sights on the mainland’, the third collection ever curated to feature the career and work of japanese architect tadao ando. the central focus of the display is the connection between the architect and his work in mainland china, highlighting his latest project the ‘shanghai poly theater’. the building’s exterior is a square prism measuring 100 meters by 100 meters with a height of 30 meters.

the form is bisected with a series of angled tubes and shapes which carve voids for passageways and theaters. the monumental scale of the varied geometric elements makes visitors feel very small within the space. the sectional model is divided into quartered wedges allowing views of the interior arrangement and experience.

sectional model by tadao ando at the gallery GA in tokyo, japan image © designboom

top view of sectional model by tadao ando at the gallery GA in tokyo, japan image © designboom

sectional model by tadao ando at the gallery GA in tokyo, japan image © designboom

wedge of sectional model by tadao ando at the gallery GA in tokyo, japan image © designboom

interior of sectional model by tadao ando at the gallery GA in tokyo, japan image © designboom

conceptual models showing forms of the voids image © designboom

section by tadao ando at the gallery GA in tokyo, japan photo by designboom

section by tadao ando at the gallery GA in tokyo, japan photo by designboom

sketch by tadao ando at the gallery GA in tokyo, japan photo by designboom

portrait of tadao ando image © designboom