Oriental Art Center

Oriental Art Center
General information
Type	Arts complex
Location	Pudong, Shanghai, China
Construction started	26 March 2002
Completed	31 December 2004
Inaugurated	1 July 2005
Technical details
Structural system	Reinforced concrete frame, steel roof girder, glass facade
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Paul Andreu

The Shanghai Oriental Art Center (Chinese: 上海东方艺术中心, p Shànghǎi Dōngfāng Yìshù Zhōngxīn), abbreviated SHOAC, is one of the leading performance and cultural facilities in Shanghai, China. Located on Century Avenue in Pudong, it was officially opened at the end of 2004.

Performances

Various cultural and musical performances are held in the center, beginning from the 2005 Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Shanghai Concert. The venue is a regular venue for concert performances, including concerts of western opera by the CNOH company. Shanghai Jingju Company, Shanghai Yueju Theatre and Shanghai Kunqu Theatre.

Architecture

The building was designed by French architect Paul Andreu and the Huadong Architectural Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd.. It merges architectural artistry with functionality. The material of the façades is mainly laminated glass incorporating perforated metal sheets. The five interconnected hemispherical halls or 'petals', resembling a butterfly or butterfly orchid from above, each 'petal' belonging in turn to the entrance hall, the Performance Hall, the Concert Hall, the Exhibition Hall, and the Opera Hall, respectively. To avoid confusion when inside, the interior of each of the five segments are decorated with large distinctly coloured pebbles hung on the walls as a means of differentiating between them. Inside, the dark granite floors and richly hued furnishings offer the feeling of being inside a forest, while the metal-layered glass screen walls filter the sunshine for a softly diffused forest floor effect.

The project includes also all the suitable backstage facilities for the needs of the performance control areas, performances premises such as dressing rooms, rehearsal rooms and lounges. The high-tech ceiling changes colour during the night to reflect the nature of the performances inside. It also features ancillary public facilities, such an exhibition hall, music shops, restaurant and arts exchange premises.

External links

• Shanghai Oriental Art Center