The Grand Theater occupies the key position in the newly built
Culture Park of Tianjin. The circular shape of the roof construction
corresponds with the existing Museum of Natural History so that an
architectural dialogue of an earth-bound and a “floating” circular volume is
created to both ends of the park. Earth and sky represent a fundamental
thinking in Chinese philosophy.
The roof volume of the Grand Theater opens up toward the broad
water surface like an open sea shell. Opera hall, concert hall and the small
multifunctional hall are exposed to the water surface like pearls inside this
shell.
The three venues are conceived as free standing volumes on a
stone base. Broad stairways connect the stone base with the raised plaza
creating a kind of stage for urban life which overlooks the lake and the
Culture Park.
Vehicular traffic is avoided on the water side. Drop-offs are
located to the north and south whilst bus stops are situated along a dwelling
mound to the east of the building. All internal areas are located within the
base so that an unobstructed internal circulation is achieved.
The roof construction is a transformation of the traditional
Chinese element of multiple eaves and thus defines a system of common
horizontal layers, which creates an architectural entity of roof, facade and
stone base.
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