Taipei Performing Arts Center proposal by NL Architects

Mar 2009

By Sebastian J — Filed under: Cultural , NL Architects, Taipei

This is the design proposed by NL Architects for the Taipei Performing Arts Center. The structure contains three theaters, including a 1500-seat Grand Theater, and two 800-seat theaters. Although critics praised the aesthetics, they noted two critical issues: acoustics would be disastrous and the lack of sun for several of the cubes. The competition was finally won by OMA.

You can also see Abalos proposal here.
More images after the break.

23 comments »

John Searle says:

I agree with critics to the project in terms of acoustics and shading.

Anyway, it´s a good exercise… i hope to see more of this thinking from NL in the future.

# March 3, 2009 at 22:48

ornament and crime says:

Most Piranesian.

# March 3, 2009 at 23:22

Cecilia Avila says:

I found more images and the blueprints at the following site.
http://www.arquitour.com/taipei-performing-arts-center-nl-architects/2009/03/

This isnt as good as Abalos’ but i think its better than OMA’S

# March 3, 2009 at 23:41

Chachi says:

I want to like it, but Taipei deserves a better building. There’s somthing far to 6th year studio about the scheme. The eroded cube… hmmm. Where have I seen that before?

# March 4, 2009 at 00:29

sgurin says:

Да на OMA – Hamburg Science Centre and Aquarium похоже, но совсем другое здание. Мне нравится. Cecilia Avila спасибо за ссылку, там есть планы и разрезы.

Yes on OMA – Hamburg Science Centre and Aquarium seems, but quite another building. I like it. Cecilia Avila thanks for the link, there are plans and sections.

# March 4, 2009 at 01:19

guanxiong says:

the design of this building is an imitation of the building Mario botta built, ive forgotten the name of the building , but its the 5th picture in this link http://bbs3.zhulong.com/forum/detail675819_1.html#

# March 4, 2009 at 03:14

One says:

I got impression that OMA project was an homage to their earlier works. Besides, NL projects one way or the other feel the presence of SANAA ZOLLVEREIN that vubic scool on economy. Funny now Japanese architects Are the most creative and original all the rest seems to get inspired from them.

# March 4, 2009 at 03:24

David says:

its quite similar to the SANAA zollerein building.

# March 4, 2009 at 03:40

anonimo casarotta says:

i don’t understand how all the architects here can comment an architecture using the words: “i like it” “amazing” etc ect…a real architect should understand a project first, understand the process guides of a project, look through the pictures understanding what there is behind an image…We live in a sociaty without culture, architecture is a culture product so we should start to be architects not fruiteres, because just a fruiteres should say in front of an architecture:”i like it, is cool”

# March 4, 2009 at 04:22

J says:

because we only get to see the exterior images not the plan. I think OMA strongest point is their innovation on the plan and the spaces inside. They try to push in new and unique experience of each project they do. Like the new wyly theatre.

anyway,

this project. can’t imagine what’s inside those cubes.. and only 1500 and 800 seatings? and what’s all those square holes anyway?

# March 4, 2009 at 04:44

David says:

it is a wonderful architectural form, not sure about how it can act as a building, so i agree with the critics.
The one thing i find of interest here is the way the space is created: the blur between the interior and the exterior. although this concept is not new (e.g. Kurokawa) it’s articulation is most impressive.

# March 4, 2009 at 07:19

Jean says:

all the entries projects are here
http://forgemind.net/xoops/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1111

# March 4, 2009 at 07:58

daidaloos says:

Hahahahaa, this project makes me laugh… but actually it makes me laugh less than the rest of the competition projects! HAHAHAHA!!!!

But comparisons with Zollverein are very superficial. The Sanaa project is muuuuuuuuuuuuuuch more sophisticated than this.

# March 4, 2009 at 14:47

Ricko says:

I’d love to see the lifts moving around the building. It reminds me of some utopian film scenario… and I’m not sure yet if that’s good. By the way, am I mistaken, or there are actually horizontally-moving “lifts” on the upper floors?

# March 5, 2009 at 07:53

Stason says:

Термитник с тараканами для китайцев.

# March 5, 2009 at 16:39

J says:

This earlier (1997) specultaion from NL arhcitects is worth looking at.

Return to the Fold TM
Melbourne, Australie, Concours, 1997

http://www.archilab.org/public/2000/catalog/nlarch/nlarchen.htm

A different scheme altogether but it does show a similiar grand atrium and ‘colossal baldachin’ to their Taipei Performing Arts entry and which pre-dates OMA’s – Hamburg Science Centre and Aquarium.

# March 6, 2009 at 00:35

ESMA says:

great proyect…

# March 6, 2009 at 03:44

Carlo says:

@casarotta
i totally agree with you. i assume however, that most of the comments are not from architects. (or at least i hope so.)
actually i still see a great potential in these form of dispute or critique of buildings presented in blogs, but i realize every day that just a few of the comments exhibit some
serious thinking or deeper analysis.
i wouldn’ t give so much importance to this architecture blogging phenomena as it still remains very very superficial.

but this is just my opinion.

# March 6, 2009 at 09:40

arki says: