This article originally appeared on our sister website, Urban Family Shanghai.
By Yuzhou Hu
Shanghai will soon have a brand new opera house – and it's going to be gorgeous. A Norwegian company recently won the bid to design the complex and the project is slated to break ground this year, reports Shine.
The massive Shanghai Grand Opera House will be located in the EXPO site’s Houtan neighborhood, right next to the Huangpu River. The building’s geometrical design will offer a striking juxtaposition to the surrounding greenery.
Image via Toutiao
The design firm, Snøhetta, has designed numerous opera houses and theaters around the world. Some of its most notable works include the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet in Oslo, the Busan Opera House in South Korea and the Isabel Bader Center for the Performing Arts in Canada.
According to Snøhetta, the firm drew their inspiration from an unfolding Chinese-style fan and the flowing silk dress of an opera performer. That’s why they included concrete spiraling stairs outside of the complex. Visitors can also take a staircase to access the observation platform on the roof, where they can appreciate the breathtaking view of the Huangpu River.
Image via Toutiao
The main theater has a capacity of approximately 2,000 people. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, it is designed to elevate all aspects of performing arts. The opera house also has an additional 1,200-seat theater and a more intimate 1,000-seat theater. The complex will feature restaurants, galleries, museums, libraries and cinemas.
Shanghai currently has several first-class pavilions for cultural performances, including Shanghai Grand Theatre, Shanghai Culture Square and Shanghai Oriental Art Center. Therefore, many netizens can’t help but wonder what sets the Shanghai Grand Opera House apart.
Shanghai has long been in shortage of a place exclusive to operas,” explained Zhang Qingxin, vice director of Shanghai Opera House. According to Zhang, the new complex will mainly hold opera and ballet performances.
Image via Toutiao
The Shanghai Grand Opera House is one of the most imperative projects of Shanghai’s 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) and is estimated to open its doors in 2020.
[Cover image via Toutiao]
This article was originally published by our sister magazine Urban Family Shanghai. For more articles like this, visit the Urban Family website, or follow the Urban Family WeChat account (ID: urbanfamilyshanghai).
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