foster + partners: datong art museum

'datong art museum' by foster + partners, datong, china
all images © foster + partners


construction has begun in datong, china on the 'datong art museum', designed by london-based practice foster + partners.
four pyramidal roof peaks interlock to define the exterior form, evoking the imagery of an erupted landscape. the external surfaces
are clad with corten steel, a material with earthen hues and will continue to weather over time. one of four new buildings bordering
a new cultural plaza, the 32,000 square meter center will be slightly sunken into the earth, matching the scale of its neighbors.
visitors descend through a stepped courtyard of sculptures to enter the museum.

at the ground level, a grand gallery with a 37 meter tall atrium with a clear span of 80 meters provides a centerpiece area
for large-scale installations and exhibitions. skylights within the high ceilings introduce northern and north-western daylight,
creating an optimal environment to display artworks with natural illumination and minimal solar gain.



aerial view of the entry plaza at night


perimeter exhibition spaces will contain state-of-the-art climate controls. artificial lighting runs along tracks within ceiling recesses
and a 5 meter grid along the floor integrates security, data and power. with 70 percent of the structure formed from a roof,
the building is insulated almost twice more than code requires, reducing the presence and necessary maintenance with only
10 percent overall glazing.

scheduled to open in 2013, the venue will represent the country in the 'beyond the building' basel art international tour.



main entrance

OMA: scenography for greek theatre in syracuse

'scenography for the 48th cycle of classic drama at the ancient greek theatre of syracuse' by OMA, italy
image © OMA


dutch practice OMA has recently completed the scenography of three temporary architectural devices that reinterpret the spaces of the theatre
which dates back to the 5th century BCE, located in syracuse, italy. the interventions are dramatically exploited and adapted at strategic moments
within the 48th summer's cycle of plays staged by the istituto nazionale del dramma antico, which also includes 'euripides' bacchae' directed by
antonio calenda and aristophane's 'the birds', directed by roberta torre.



'the ring' and 'the raft'
image © OMA


the first intervention, 'the ring', is a suspended walkway that completes the semi-circle of the terraced seating, encompassing the stage and the backstage,
which gives the actors an alternative way of entering the scene. the machine is a fully adaptable backdrop for the plays:
a sloping circular platform, seven meters high, mirroring the amphitheater. it rotates, symbolizing the passage of 13 centuries during prometheus's torture;
split down the middle, it can also be opened, allowing an entrance for the performers, and symbolizing dramatic events like prometheus being swallowed
in the bowels of the earth. 'the raft', a circular podium for the entertainers, re-imagines the orchestra space as a modern thymele,
the altar that in ancient times was dedicated to dionysian rites.



performance at night
image © OMA


project info:

location: teatro greco, syracuse, italy
project: scenography for the 48th cycle of classic drama at the ancient greek theatre of syracuse
status: completed
client: istituto nazionale del dramma antico
program: adaptable stage set for three classic dramas
materials: aluminum scaffolding and ultilayer marine plywood
credits: partner-in-charge: rem koolhaas
associate-in-charge: ippolito pestellini laparelli
team: francesco moncada, miguel taborda, barbara materi

DUO + china national sports group: jingzhou sports center

'jingzhou sports center' by DUO + china national sports group, jingzhou city, china
all images courtesy of DUO


chinese practice DUO and china national sports group have collaborated to design to 'jingzhou sports center' within
the downtown area of jingzhou city, china. positioned within the urban center, the 550 by 470 meter site will be dedicated to
athletic matches as well as the gathering of people for shopping, exercise, concerts and fairs. resisting the omnipresence
of deserted boxes in cities during off-season times, this masterplan intends to bring a purpose to the area, attracting visitors
throughout the year.

the tri-fold arrangement includes a gymnasium, aquatic facility and training center which have been linked with a roof canopy
that wraps the perimeter of the building. open-air and shaded courtyards for outdoor events are placed within the voids between
the primary volumes, creating a complex which merges cultural and functional entities. an integrated circulation generates
a theme park atmosphere, with activities scattered throughout the multiplex.



aerial view of the complex



view from the river



approach to the stadium



playing field encompassed with an elevated path



aquatic facility



transformed for events into a concert space

BIG + FREAKS freearchitects: MECA

'MECA' by BIG + FREAKS freearchitects, bordeaux, france
all images courtesy of BIG + FREAK freearchitects



danish practice BIG and french firm FREAKS freearchitects, have won a competition to design 'MECA', the maison de
l'economie creative et de la culture en equitane in bordeaux, france. positioned along the historic garonne riverfront, the looping structure
willcontain three regional visual and performing arts agencies within one location, framing a centralized and outdoor public space
for events overlooking the water. the 12,000 square meter building integrates contemporary art, a performing arts institution,
and center for literature and movies. a promenade rises to form a roof above the lobbies, generating the urban room's stage with
skylit galleries below and then returns to ground level to continue the pedestrian route.



the looping structure frames a centralized outdoor performing space


'when a region or a city invests millions in a major new cultural institution - it often ends up benefiting only the informed
few that already have an interest in the arts. not only does the méca spill its activities into the public realm and the urban room,
but the public is also invited to walk around, through, above and below the new cultural gateway. by inviting the art into the city
and the city into the arts, the méca will provide opportunities for new hybrids of cultural and social life beyond the specific definitions
of its constituent parts.' - bjarke ingels, founding partner, BIG



rooftop terrace


'the three regional entities composing the program are idiomatic to the french public way of supporting and promoting culture
all over the territory. working on the méca building in bordeaux is a great occasion to cross views and balance between
international references and local issues.' - guillaume aubry, cyril gauthier & yves pasquet, founding partners, FREAKS freearchitects



centralized outdoor performing space



interior space transitioning from the outdoor performance area



interior performing space



interior



model



model



rooftop terrace



centralized outdoor performance area



at night

















project info:


type: competition
client: conseil regional daquitaine
collaborators: Freaks freearchitects, ducks sceno, khephren ingeniere, upers, alto ingeniere, vincent hedo NT, PBNL, myrk & moriceru, PH.R
size: 12,350 m2
location: bordeaux, france
status: in progress