Zaha Hadid Architects has been chosen to design the Shaoxing Cao’e River Culture and Art Centre in China’s Zhejiang Province. Nestled on the banks of the historic river, the center envisions a dialogue of history and innovation, shaped by the region’s cultural heritage and the lush surrounding landscape.
The center unfolds as a composition of interconnected forms. Designed to host an array of opera, dance, drama and symphonic performances, the structure features a 1,400-seat Grand Theater and 500-seat Black-Box Multifunctional Hall, alongside an Arts and Education Center, Heritage Museum, Digital Art Gallery and Conference Center.
The space takes cues from the flowing landscapes of the river and the glazed roofs pitched atop surrounding architecture. The jade-green facades pay homage to Celadon ceramics, a craft that originated at the beginning of the Northern Song Dynasty, blending historical craftsmanship with contemporary artistry to create a timeless silhouette.
In response to Shaoxing’s subtropical monsoon climate, the center’s sloping roofs and wide overhangs shade courtyards and seamlessly connect interior spaces to the surrounding terraced landscapes. In addition to solar panels embedded in the roof, the structure’s advanced geometries create “shelf-shading” zones which will reduce solar heat gain and enhance comfort year-round.
While no completion date has been announced, recent renderings show a thoughtful blend of form and function, shaping a future beacon for cultural exchange and creative expression.
