Guangzhou Opera House
Zaha Hadid Architects

Photo: Iwan Baan

Overlooking the Pearl River the Guangzhou Opera House is at the heart of Guangzhou's cultural sites development.

The structure is located at the foot of Zhujiang Boulevard across from the new Guangdong Provincial Museum. Adopting state of the art technology in its design and construction it is slated to be a lasting monument to the New Millennium, confirming Guangzhou as one of Asia's cultural centers.

Photo: Iwan Baan

Photo: Iwan Baan

Photo: Iwan Baan

We liked erosion and stones. It worked well next to the Pearl River. The metaphor is two pebbles picked from the bed of the river and placed on the river bank.

/Simon Yu, Project Architect

The unique twin boulder design is clad with a mixture of glass and granite panels. Black granite with a flamed or rough-textured finish was used on the upper parts of the building to reinforce the idea of a pebble washed up on the bank. The building is is entered via an approach promenade cut into the landscape.

Photo: Iwan Baan

Photo: Iwan Baan

Photo: Iwan Baan

Photo: Iwan Baan

Photo: Iwan Baan

Photo: Iwan Baan
Circulation through the interior of the building is guided by the spine and structural frame. The many levels provide views into the main atrium space, giving a sense of connection and orientation within the building.


Photo: Iwan Baan

Photo: Iwan Baan

Photo: Iwan Baan

Photo: Iwan Baan

Photo: Iwan Baan
The walls of the asymmetrical 1,800-seat grand theater are bellowing ribbons of gold, dotted with fragmented lights.

Photo: Iwan Baan

Photo: Iwan Baan
The grand theater is housed in one block, the restaurant, bars and shops in the other. The complex also hosts a multifunction hall and a number of auxiliary facilities and support premises.


Photo: Iwan Baan

Photo: Iwan Baan
The Opera House will enhance urban function with the area between the Museum and the Opera House functioning as a "Cultural Plaza" overlooking the Pearl River.


Photo courtesy Zaha Hadid Architects

Photo courtesy Zaha Hadid Architects

Photo courtesy Zaha Hadid Architects

Photo courtesy Zaha Hadid Architects