AS blends chinese zen and honeycomb interior for shanghai theater
all images courtes of AS, architecture studio

 

 

 
inserted into a building originally designed by arata isozaki & associates, a new auditorium by AS, architecture studio interprets chinese tradition and spirituality into its interior. located in the pudong district, shanghai, the himalayas center’s daguan theatre features a 9996m2 multipurpose hall that is capable of accommodating 1200 spectators. playfully interacting between the existing structure and the new intervention, a flexible stage, which consists of ten lifting platforms can be raised to create one large floor area and also be converted into four different types of configurations. a rough, organic cave made from PVC fabric wraps its way through the auxiliary spaces, combining a sense of high and low technology to create a tension between the existing and the new, soft textiles. suspended above the auditorium are modular structures made of honeycomb mesh that can easily be modified. these ‘clouds’, which hold stage devices, seem to float into the hall, inducing a feeling of weightlessness into the open space. 

 

 

AS blends chinese zen + honeycomb interior in shanghai theater
the new interior consists of a flexible stage that can be reconfigured into multiple variations

 

 

reinterpreting traditional zen rock gardens, furniture items consist of organic and smooth shapes that are delicately spread across the floor. a general color code of black, white and red is applied throughout, based on traditional chinese theater. the theater combines local culture with modern technology, formulating a hybrid spatial experience.

 

 

AS blends chinese zen + honeycomb interior in shanghai theater
the modular structures are made of a honeycomb mesh and are suspended above the new auditorium

 

 

AS blends chinese zen + honeycomb interior in shanghai theater
detail of the honeycomb

 

 

AS blends chinese zen + honeycomb interior in shanghai theater
the PVC cave-like walls curve their way through the different spaces

 

 

AS blends chinese zen + honeycomb interior in shanghai theater
a traditional chinese zen rock garden

 

 

AS blends chinese zen + honeycomb interior in shanghai theater
the stairwell

 

 

AS blends chinese zen + honeycomb interior in shanghai theater
looking towards the auditorium seating from the stand

 

 

project info:

 

client: zendai himalayas real estate company ltd.
location: yinghua road, pudong, shanghai
interior design: AS. architecture studio
consultant: theatre project consultant
lighting consultant: 8’18”concepteurs and plasticiens lumiere
acoustical consultant: zhang kui sheng acoustical design and research studio
design time: 2010-2013
completion time: 2013
area: 9996㎡

 

 

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