Location: Changsha, China.

Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects.

Zaha Hadid Architects has designed a new Culture & Arts Centre in Changsha, China, which includes a contemporary art museum, an 1,800-seat theatre, and a multipurpose hall. The centre is connected to the city’s new Metro System and is located on historic trade routes through China. The Grand Theatre provides all front-of-house functions, including administration offices, rehearsal studios, backstage logistics, wardrobe and dressing rooms. The MICA art museum includes eight exhibition galleries, community workshops, a lecture theatre, café and museum shop. The Small Theatre is a multipurpose hall with a capacity of 500 seats that can be transformed to different configurations to accommodate a broad range of functions and performances. The three civic institutions are uniquely defined and separate, yet complement each other with different opening times creating vitality throughout the day and evening. The theatre becomes active as the art museum begins to conclude its day-time operations, whilst the variety of events in the smaller theatre ensure it will be used at all times. The Culture & Arts Centre is the largest and most versatile cultural centre in Hunan province and is uniquely defined by pedestrian routes that weave through the site to connect with neighbouring streets. The centre provides views of the adjacent Meixi Lake from the city and gives access to the parks and walking trails on the lake’s Festival Island. The ensemble of three separate cultural institutions creates external courtyards where pedestrian routes intersect for outdoor events and sculpture exhibitions.

Photo credit: Virgile Simon Bertrand.