Dalian International Conference Center

2012Cultural · Theatres & Performing Arts CentersCommercial

Year: 2012
Category: Cultural · Theatres & Performing Arts Centers
Type: Commercial
Status: Built
Firm: Coop Himmelb(l)au
Location

The building has both to reflect the promising modern future of Dalian and its tradition as an important port, trade, industry and tourism city. As part of a greater urban development project the Dalian International Conference Center and Opera House is located at a waterfront site. The geometry of the façades is articulated by the shape of conference rooms which seem to pierce it, thus creating a multifaceted body. The theatre and conference rooms are overarched by a shallow cone-shaped roof structure, with controlled daylight systems that stimulate a relaxed ambience in the interior.

The project combines the several functions within one hybrid building: the main building volume contains a conference center for approximately 2,500 people , a full-size theatre/opera house for approximately 1,600 people, a flexible exhibition space and a performance stage, basement with parking, delivery and disposal.With this arrangement the main stage can be used for the classical theater auditorium as well as for the flexible multipurpose hall. The main auditorium is additionally equipped with backstage areas like in traditional theaters and opera houses.

This scheme is appropriate to broaden the range of options for the use of this space: from convention, musical, theater even up to classical opera, with very little additional investment.The smaller conference spaces are arranged like pearls around this core, providing very short connections between the different areas, thus saving time while changing between the different units. Most conference rooms and the circulation areas have direct daylight from above.Through this open and fluid arrangement the theater and conference spaces on the main level establish a kind of urban structure with “squares” and “street spaces”