This research project puts forward a structural and architectural proposal developed by KET in collaboration with our partners China Architecture Design & Research Group (CADG Co.Ltd) for the performing arts centre for the 2019 Beijing World Garden Show. This project is a showcase of sustainable architecture realised by means of user-senstive parametric design as well as by means of the integration of multiple technical innovations developed by KET.

Taking inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman amphitheatres, the arena consists of a circular thrust stage and a main stage. The stalls face the adjacent Haituo mountain and Weishui river. The performance centre can accommodate 4000 seated spectators and is sensitively integrated into the surrounding landscape. The building is a modern performance centre with high-end facilities. A membrane cover is suspended from the elegantly shaped bamboo grid shell roof providing cool shade in summer and as well as rain cover with low-level insulation. The roof adopts a simple, elegant and structurally-informed shape. In plan the building is a perfect circle. This was a consciously bold and simple geometric shape and design input. The parametrically-defined catenary shell, sight lines, program and landscaping add subtle layers of complexity to the overall scheme. From any viewing angle other than directly above, the building has a dynamic and interesting shape and energy
resulting in a unique and iconographic design.