African project Rabat Grand Theatre – Morocco
“ I am delighted to be building the Grand Theatre in Rabat ,” said the late Zaha Hadid when the agreement was originally signed . “ Morocco ’ s unique musical traditions and rich cultural history in the performing arts are renowned throughout the world . I am honoured to be part of the cultural development of the nation ’ s capital .”
The design takes its energy from the River , generating the landscape of the park that engulfs the amphitheatre and theatre . The fluid sculptural forms create a seamless spatial experience that fl ow into the main foyer , moulding the grand staircases . This fluidity provides an intuitive visual and physical guide for visitors . The € 120m project includes an 1 800 seat theatre , an openair amphitheatre with a capacity of 7 000 people , a second experimental performance / rehearsal spaces and an extraordinary restaurant for 350 people . The main auditorium has a different crystalline geometry inspired by traditional Moroccan muqarnas .
The Bouregreg Valley Development Agency is a public company in charge of the development and project management of the Bouregreg riverbanks . The Agency also supervises large-scale infrastructure projects such as the Rabat-Salé Tramway .
London-based Zaha Hadid Architects is internationally known for consistently pushing the boundaries of urban architecture and design . Some of the firm ’ s seminal works include the MAXXI : National Museum of 21st Century Art in Rome , the Phaeno Science Center in Wolfsburg and the Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art in Cincinnati . Zaha Hadid was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004 . AD