Harbin Opera House by MAD Architects
I think people are overly obsessed with the visual in architecture even though “How to create that sense of place?” is the common question being tackled in the real world everyday. However, this challenge is becoming only more critical as the global population now is generally increasing. There are more and more people moving into cities, the place where the pressures of daily life are growing exponentially but what truly significant is whether architecture creates a place or not. When we talk about building, that style “iconic” has always be as important as whether it is “green” or “sustainable”.
Why are people nowadays obsessed with iconic architecture style? Simply because it is the formula to success! When architects design something unique, people think it is good and by that means they are “pushing the envelope”. Then, the architectural journal will start to feature the architect in but they often assume authority on good design and since not every project can be featured, so only few buildings will be selected from. So what’s next? They would get famous and making lots of money!
Following in the tradition of iconic opera houses around the globe — think of Sydney’s well-known waterside structure, or the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles — Harbin now has its own unique cathedral to the classic art.
Designed by MAD Architects, a Beijing-based firm always keep their usual fluid movement language intact, by creating dynamic forms and incorporating sleek lines and soft curves to showcase a beautiful flowing appearance.
Archdaily’s Building of the year 2016.
MAD Architects unveils the completed Harbin Opera House, located in the Northern Chinese city of Harbin. In 2010, MAD won the international open competition for Harbin Cultural Island, a master plan for an opera house, a cultural center, and the surrounding wetland landscape along Harbin’s Songhua River. The sinuous opera house is the focal point of the Cultural Island, occupying a building area of 850,000 square feet the site’s 444 acres total area, features a three-petalled plan. One houses a grand theatre with space for up to 1,600 visitors, while the other is a more intimate a large public plaza for an audience of 400.
The exterior curvilinear façade is composed of smooth white aluminum panels. The smooth exterior sculptural quality continues with the interiors cladding, where a large entrance lobby features a combination of glass and timber and a latticed ceiling that is located beneath the sculptural glass roof.
Sculpted from a large block of Manchurian Ash, the wooden large walls smoothly enclose the main stage and theater seating of the grand theatre, with balconies and staircases wrapping around the outside. MAD describes is as “emulating a wooden block that has been gently eroded away”. The second, smaller theater, offers more of a connection to the exterior as it features a large panoramic window behind the performance stage. This wall provides a naturally scenic backdrop for performances and activates the stage as an extension of the outdoor environment, inspiring production opportunities.
Harbin Opera House, aerial view from the east
The façade in contrast to the Harbin skyline
Night view of the grand lobby and grand theater
The lobby of the grand theater
The sculpted wood staircase leading to the grand theater
Partial view of the façades’ aluminum panels and pathways
Rooftop terrace
Architects: MAD Architects
Location: Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
Directors: Ma Yansong, Dang Qun, Yosuke Hayano
Project Year: 2015
Some buildings are just four walls and a roof, but when they add in with the compositions of light, materials, and scale. It ultimately speaks to “Architecture is to create an atmosphere in which man can live, work and enjoy”. Even though I am always amazed by beautiful buildings but still iconic building does not ensure a place that can be adapt to human lifestyle.
Trends define a generation and what does the future of the architecture industry hold? I believe, “iconic” would no longer be in the trend, it is moving beyond “iconic” to “Extraordinary”. Here's the proofs.
Iconic buildings don’t make great cities
Instead, these buildings are all about themselves. Self-contained and shutting off the places around them.
This building won many prizes and was praised as a “signature” building for Seattle. But in reality it is isolated, not related to other potentially vibrant buildings around it. It fails to create destination. It’s even hard to find the door. While there are some positive qualities on the inside, use is awkward and problematic for staff and visitors alike.