ARCHITECTURAL FOCUS
Although each building ’ s design serves a specific function , their forms are complementary .
The forms simultaneously evoke a theater curtain parting at the beginning of a performance . A broad plinth , accessed from all directions by splayed steps and ramps , unifies the complex . This elevated platform extends the buildings ’ lobbies into the surrounding forested park , setting up the relationship between the interiors , the landscape , and the Grand Canal .
“ Although each building ’ s design serves a specific function , their forms are complementary ,” says project director , Chao Chen , adding that the interior of the opera house , for instance , is shaped for optimal acoustics . “ They work together to achieve this pleasing suggestion of lanterns at the water ’ s edge .”
Constructed in sections since the 5th century B . C ., the 2,000-kilometer-long Grand Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage site . It connects Beijing to South China and has been vital to the nation ’ s culture and economy for millennia . The Tongzhou District of Beijing has long been an important point of trade along the canal ; as goods arrived in Tongzhou from the south , they were sorted and stored in warehouses until needed in Beijing . In a regional reversal , the performing arts complex will now draw Beijing residents and visitors from the city to the canal . powered by ground-source heat pumps , achieving a 60 % renewable energy use rate . The HVAC system ’ s filtration system combined with carbon dioxide sensors in public areas ensures high indoor air quality . Lowflow fixtures conserve water throughout the buildings . Rainwater gardens and permeable pavements create a porous , sponge-like landscape that absorbs and retains stormwater on-site , reducing the chance of flooding . Landscape irrigation , road and garage cleaning , and toilet flushing all use 100 % reclaimed municipal greywater , further reducing the consumption of water resources .
A dedicated metro station below the park , along with ramps and stairs at ground level , facilitates public access . The subterranean level also includes parking , retail , and a food and beverage complex interspersed with sunken gardens . The plinth is always open as part of the park , providing visitors with inspiring views of Tongzhou and the Grand Canal . “ It ’ s gratifying to see the flow of people and the sharing of ideas and experiences in and around the Beijing Performing Arts Centre , all reflected in the historic waterway ,” says James Lu , regional director , Perkins & Will . “ This project is truly a testament to the city ’ s vision and commitment to arts and culture .”
www . perkinswill . com / www . shl . dk
The design team incorporated sustainable features throughout the project that promote human and ecosystem health , earning the project a China Three Star rating for environmental performance . The highperformance building envelope , which is shaded by a perforated aluminum screen , conserves 20 % more energy than required by local code . The buildings plug into a district energy system that is primarily
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