xiqu center to be designed by bing thom architects / ronald lu & partners

‘xiqu center’ by bing thom architects and ronald lu and partners, hong kong, chinaimage © bing thom architects and ronald lu and partners

part of a larger master plan to renovate the area of the west kowloon cultural district, the ‘xiqu center’ will be the first installment, located on the east side to greet visitors as they enter the region. after an international competition to determine who will win the commission to design the key structure, bing thom architects of canada and ronald lu and partners of hong kong who collaborated on the project, won a unanimous vote by the jury to carry through with the design process.

the winning design for the ‘xiqu center’image © WKCDA 2013

projected to open in 2016, the opera house will be the first of 17 fine arts centers that will open in the area, and is aimed at preserving and developing the ancient tradition of cantonese and other chinese operas. the state-of-the-art building enjoys an ample site of 13800 m2, with 2000 m2 allocated to education and practice facilities, two auditoriums  (1100 seats and 400 seats) and a traditional tea house with a 280-person capacity, to be used for performances. located at a key position to the cultural district, the gateway project maintains the chinese ‘qi’ with long free-flowing vertical louvers that open like curtains, welcoming visitors upon arrival. the ‘xiqu center’ design competition was run in conjunction with the M+ competition to design the first cultural center, with the six shortlisted high profile teams having been just announced as well; see designboom’s earlier coverage here.

entrance walkway into the courtyardimage © bing thom architects and ronald lu and partners

xiqu centre animation video courtesy of bingthomarchitects

covered plaza image © WKCDA 2013

roof garden hosts panoramic views of the city

main theater — stage image © WKCDA 2013

main theatre – audience chamberimage © WKCDA 2013

aerial view of xiqu centre