An opera house shaped like a seashell
China continues to build cultural facilities in the form of modern architecture. The opera house was built by the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design (BIAD) on the seashore of Zhuhai Island in Guangdong Province, China. With a light, dynamic design, the theater seems to float against the background of water merging with the sky, emphasizing the aesthetics of the form. The building is already considered the main new landmark of the region.
The structure consists of two curved translucent structures that look like open "shells" of seashells. The complex has an area of 59 thousand square meters. The opera theater with 1550 seats is located in one "shell", the multi-purpose hall with 550 seats is in the other, the two "shells" are connected by an outdoor theater designed for 350 people. Upon entering the building, before watching the performance, visitors see a translucent facade through which they can see a mesmerizing scene of the setting sun and the rising moon from two different sides. The transparent facades allow theater guests to admire sea views as well.
The interior of the opera hall is made of natural materials, mainly wood. The audience seats, the stage and the orchestra pit are visually separated from each other by light plates that frame the boundaries of each zone. The relief walls, reminiscent of the bending of sea waves, absorb noise and enhance acoustics, and the ceiling, decorated in the likeness of the starry sky, is equipped with the most modern lighting equipment.