Hangzhou Normal University Cangqian Performing Arts Center, Art Museum and Arts Quadrangle / Steven Holl Architects

Jan 2011

By Kelly Minner — Filed under: Educational ,Sustainability ,Videos , China, Hanzghou, Steven Holl, Steven Holl Architects

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Steven Holl shared with us his winning entry for the Hangzhou Normal University Performing Arts Center, Art Museum and Art Quadrangle in Hangzhou, China. The pair of buildings, situated on either side of the canal, are the heart of the new campus. Holl’s concept early on was two balanced forms, one additive as seen in the design of the Performing Arts Center, and one subtractive displayed in the design of the Art Museum. This dialogue between these two buildings, the utilization of local materials, and the carbon neutral section of the new university provides for a special moment within the campus.

Follow the break for sketches and renderings of this project.

Architects: Steven Holl Architects
Location: Hanzghou, China
Design Architect: Steven Holl, Li Hu, Chris McVoy
Project Architect: Garrick Ambrose, Yichen Lu, Roberto Bannura
Project Team: Human Wu, Guanlan Cao, Francesco Bartolozzi, Michael Rusch, Johanna Muszbek, Maxim Kolbowski Frampton, Nathalie Frankowski, Scott Fredricks, Garrett Ricciardi, Jose Carlos Quelhas, Wenny Hsu
Structural Engineer: China Academy of Building Research (CABR)
Acoustics Consultant: Kirkegaard Associates
Sustainability Consultant: Mathias Schuler (Transsolar)

concept

An “additive form” concept generates the unique geometry of the Performing Arts Center, with the different halls stacked up freely and pulled away from each other to form a special public access hall at the center. The slightly rounded edges of the different halls are pierced by escalators in this dramatic arrival space. The spatial energy itself here adds drama even when silent.

masterplan

Sitting on a glowing glass base, the auditorium bodies are “shrink-wrapped” with a translucent membrane skin which allows a soft light to all public and circulation spaces. Inside the auditoriums are of curved and laminated bamboo, with perforations in some panels to achieve perfect acoustics. In the opera house some panels are adjustable for different acoustic requirements. Seats have bamboo backs with blue-green mohair upholstery.

site section

On the other side of the canal, the University Art Museum has a “subtractive” geometry with the voids carved in special glass bars, bringing diffused light to the galleries within. The concrete structural walls at the exterior minimize columns on the interior for exhibition flexibility. The charcoal-stained bamboo-formed concrete exterior gives a special texture to the walls, which are broken at the voids, lined in glowing planks of glass. These voids are also outdoor teaching spaces in their amphitheatre stepping, providing real variety and spatial energy in a museum of orthogonal walls designed to feature the art within.

campus comparison

United by a pedestrian bridge, the unique relationship of these buildings – one “additive”, the other “subtractive”; one of the sky, the other of the earth – alludes to many ancient Chinese concepts while being the most ultra-modern and high-tech instruments for teaching at the new Hangzhou Normal University.

: concert hall lobby

: site section

: masterplan

: study model

: study model

: museum lobby

: museum

: museum

: museum

: museum

: museum plan

: museum plan

: museum section

: exterior

: exterior

: exterior

: concert hall lobby

: exterior

: concept

: concept diagram

: campus comparison

: opera house rendering

: opera house section

: concert hall lobby

: concert hall rendering

: concert hall

: concert hall plan

: concert hall plan

: concert hall section

: concert hall section

: sustainability

Cite:
Minner , Kelly . "Hangzhou Normal University Cangqian Performing Arts Center, Art Museum and Arts Quadrangle / Steven Holl Architects" 24 Jan 2011. ArchDaily. Accessed 16 May 2012. <http://www.archdaily.com/106032>

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J Z says:

hmm… it will of course look amazing being holl. But looking at the model of the interior of the performing arts centre, I can’t help but feel a bit worried about it in if an earthquake or some other disaster occurr. 1200 people and that thin little escalator…

# January 25, 2011 at 19:01

Juan 80 says: