Chengdu Contemporary Art Centre by Zaha Hadid Architects

November 15th, 2010
Zaha Hadid Architects have unveiled their design for the largest cultural building in China, to be located in Chengdu in Sichuan Province.
The Chengdu Contemporary Art Centre will comprise three auditoria, an art museum, exhibition space and conference centre, plus restaurants, bars and shops.

The facade will be covered in criss-crossing louvres to provide shade from the sun.

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The following information is from Zaha Hadid Architects:

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CHENGDU CONTEMPORARY ART CENTRE [CHENGDU, CHINA]
The result of an international design competition in 2007, Chengdu Contemporary Art Centre will be a new cultural destination for Sichuan Province and will provide Chengdu with an unprecedented collection of world-class arts, performance, leisure, and congress venues.

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CCAC will be a regional art and music centre of international standing. CCAC accommodates three auditoria, an art museum, an exhibition centre, a conference centre, a learning centre, bars, restaurants and shops. The largest of the three halls, a multifunctional theatre, seats up to 2,000 people.

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The second hall caters for lyrical theatre and music events, with a seating arrangement of up to 870 people. The third auditorium will be used as a music hall. Designed for natural acoustic, this hall will provide space for an audience of up to 1,000.

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The conference centre comprises 8,000m2, which can be separated into 16 equal and independent accessible conference rooms. A flexible 10,000m2 exhibition centre is located at the main entrance level.

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The art museum comprises approximately 15,000m2 net exhibition area which is located below the roof and will take advantage of natural lit exhibition spaces. Our design aims to resolve the complexities of the programme, while combining spatial clarity with the design of a unique and iconic structure.

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The undulating building geometry suggests a rolling landscape, inspired by the topography of Sichuan Province. CCAC’s elongated design will contrast the vertical tower structures surrounding the site. Its soaring aerodynamic shape and Yin Yang like shape evokes traditional Chinese symbols.

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The new building is characterised by its aerodynamic geometry and flexible performance spaces. Adjacent to CCAC, extensive new landscaping is designed to strengthen the links with the urban fabric. The design of the space adjacent to the building is an integral part of the architectural design.

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Our proposal for the 140,000m2 landscape area complements the exhibition building and creates a welcoming public realm within a diffuse and peripheral surrounding. Our proposal for the new Chengdu Contemporary Art Centre is a unique structure with a strong sense of identity and character. From afar, it is highly identifiable and offers a strong image and orientation.

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Built in close proximity to Chengdu City Centre, this scheme for a 200,000m2 performance, arts, and congress complex will consolidate Chengdu’s reputation as a cultural destination while providing an iconic architectural image for the city.

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The architectural concept has been developed in response to articulate the client’s programme and the urban parameters. CCAC thereby forms a graceful, iconic landmark for the city of Chengdu.

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The concept for CCAC is to use the most advanced architectural and engineering technologies in response to the brief, to create a visually striking new landmark that will act as a gateway to the city. With its informal atmosphere and unrivalled views out across the landscaping, CCAC should become one of the city’s great social spaces as well as a regional cultural centre of international standing.

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Zaha Hadid Architects design concept originates from an understanding of the urban dynamics and the client’s programme. Rising to a height of 70 meters, the building’s undulating form creates its own distinctive profile within an emerging cluster of tall buildings. In contrast to the neighbouring high-rise buildings, the 470m elongated structure extends almost parallel to Tianfu Avenue.

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Metaphorically speaking, the building’s elongated, curvilinear shape appears like a rolling landscape, inspired by the topography of Sichuan Province. The undulating shell has been designed in response to articulate the programme. Geometrically speaking, the shape has been derived by twisting a rectangular tube, creating three distinct programmatic areas. The lowest part, the centre of the building, accommodates the main atrium. The head to the north accommodates all performance and art related areas. The tail to the south accommodates the conference centre and the exhibition centre.

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Adjacent to the building, over 60 per cent of the remaining site is given over to parkland; the informal planting of mature trees creates the impression of a wooded environment adjacent to the eastern site border. The structure is set back from the street to create a generous public realm. The building complements the opposite Aquarium, creating an urban plaza with a central fountain.

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A water amphitheatre forms the focus of the site northern edge. The use of an orthogonal, repetitive plan and structural system for the back of house areas will help for the use of standardized components and to simplify the construction process.

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The façade has been designed to articulate the programme and to emphasize the iconic structure. The shingle-like glazing will create an ever changing appearance once moving around the building. The gradually changing louvers are designed to maximize the views and to minimize solar gain.