Beijing Performing Arts Centre Inspired by Ancient Storehouses

October 20, 2024

Beijing Performing Arts Centre Inspired by Ancient Storehouses

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Anchored in Tongzhou’s cultural district, the Perkins & Will + Schmidt Hammer Lassen-designed performing arts complex reflects tradition with modernity. By Nikitha Sunil Vallikad

In a collaboration that seamlessly fuses innovation with tradition, renowned architecture firms Perkins & Will and Schmidt Hammer Lassen have joined forces to deliver a landmark project in Beijing’s historic Tongzhou district. Both firms, celebrated for their expertise in cultural and civic architecture, were tasked with designing a performing arts complex on the banks of the UNESCO-listed Grand Canal. The result is a trio of iconic buildings, each purpose-built to host world-class performances.

While Perkins & Will is known for its interdisciplinary approach and commitment to sustainability, Schmidt Hammer Lassen brings a Nordic sensitivity to design, focusing on creating spaces that are both democratic and functional.

Their collaboration for the Beijing Performing Arts Centre capitalised on their combined strengths, uniting cultural symbolism with forward-thinking design. The project is not merely a venue for performances; it represents Beijing’s cultural ambitions and the city’s dedication to preserving and celebrating its storied past while looking to the future.

The Architecture that Celebrates Beijing’s Artistic Legacy

At the heart of the project lies a design deeply connected to its context.

“We’ve always referred to this project as containers for culture,” says Chris Hardie, Chief Architect at Perkins & Will. The buildings’ forms draw inspiration from the storehouses that once lined the Grand Canal, which transported goods and materials into the capital. Now, these ‘storehouses’ hold a different kind of value—local and international cultural expressions. The architecture symbolically evokes this transition from a commercial to a cultural hub.

With an opera house, a theatre, and a concert hall at its core, the complex offers a range of venues, each finely tuned to accommodate diverse performances.

Chao Chen, Project Director, highlights that while the forms of each venue are complementary, their individual designs cater to specific acoustic and functional needs. “The opera house’s interior, for instance, is shaped for optimal acoustics,” says Chen. The complementary yet distinct geometries of each building hint at a broader narrative of unity in diversity—of performances, of people, and of the city’s ever-growing role as a cultural beacon.

Green Building, Lasting Impact

The design team’s commitment to sustainability is evident throughout the project. Perkins & Will’s Living Design principles, which integrate social and environmental considerations, have earned the complex a China Three Star rating for environmental performance. The high-performance building envelope, aided by a perforated aluminium screen, conserves 20% more energy than required by local codes. Furthermore, the complex integrates with the district’s energy system, which is powered primarily by ground-source heat pumps, reaching a remarkable 60% renewable energy use rate.

The landscape, designed by SLA, plays an essential role in fostering ecological health. Permeable pavements and rainwater gardens create a sponge-like system, absorbing and retaining stormwater to minimise flooding risks. Additionally, reclaimed municipal greywater is utilised for landscape irrigation and other non-potable water needs, further reducing the complex’s environmental footprint.

James Lu, Regional Director at Perkins & Will, reflects on the success of the project: “It’s gratifying to see the flow of people and the sharing of ideas in and around the Beijing Performing Arts Centre, all reflected in the historic waterway.”

Designing Spaces with Community at the Heart

The centre’s design isn’t just about aesthetics or performance; it is also an exercise in accessibility. The integration of a metro station directly beneath the park, combined with ramps and stairs at ground level, ensures that the complex is accessible to all. Visitors can approach the centre from any direction, entering a shared plinth that unifies the three venues while offering a seamless transition between the interior spaces and the surrounding parklands.

As the designers explain, the plinth concept plays a dual role: it extends the lobbies of the buildings into the park, creating an inclusive public space, while also drawing a symbolic connection between the built environment and the natural surroundings of Tongzhou. This design strategy reinforces the complex’s ambition to serve as both a local and regional cultural hub, drawing visitors from Beijing and beyond.

A Gateway to Artistic Futures: Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow

The Beijing Performing Arts Centre, with its symbolic ‘lanterns’ and thoughtful integration into its surroundings, not only fulfils its functional requirements but also establishes itself as a cultural icon. The collaboration between Perkins & Will, Schmidt Hammer Lassen, and local authorities has resulted in a venue that reflects both Beijing’s historical significance and its ambitions as a modern cultural capital.

However, questions remain about the impact of such large-scale cultural projects. While the complex offers an impressive venue for performances and events, the broader cultural significance of these spaces within the rapidly developing Tongzhou district is yet to be fully realised. Can such centres truly become accessible cultural beacons for all, or will they serve primarily as elite venues? As the city continues to evolve, only time will reveal the true societal and cultural influence of the Beijing Performing Arts Centre.