"The Egg" - National Centre for the Performing Arts (Beijing, China)
N 39° 54.200 E 116° 23.012
50S E 447304 N 4417210
Quick Description: Huge building of the unusually designed Chinese National Centre for the Performing Arts, called also "The Egg", is one of architectonic highlights of the "new" City of Beijing...
Location: China
Date Posted: 11/4/2009 7:31:44 AM
Waymark Code: WM7KB7
Views: 2
Long Description:
Chinese
National Centre for the Performing Arts (also called "The Egg" or
National Grand Theater), designed by French architect Paul Andrew,
includes the main building (containing three performing venues: the
Opera House, the Concert Hall, the Theater), the underwater
corridors, the underground garage, the artificial lake and the
green space. It covers an area of about 119 000 m²); and the total
area of building is about 218 000 m². This enormous and unusual
building you can find immediately to the west of Tiananmen Square
and the Great Hall of the People, and near the Forbidden
City.
The whole project started from
December 2001. After more than 5 years' construction, it was
finally completed in September, 2007. Now it is believed to be the
deepest architecture in Beijing (the deepest place of the center is
-32.5 m, equivalent to the height of a 10-floor building.). NCPA
presents a sharp contrast to its surroundings with its oval
exterior, which makes it very eye-catching.
The exterior of NCPA, like a
steel-structured oval shell, is an ingenious material integration
of over 18 000 titanium plates and over 1 000 sheets of ultra-white
glass, which creates a vivid visual effect as if the curtain is
drawn apart slowly before your eyes. With the weight of 6 457 tons
and the 212.2 m longest axis, the steel-structured oval shell is
the largest dome in the world at present. Surrounding the centre is
a crystal-like artificial lake taking an area of 35 500 m². By the
use of high technology, it will not ice in winter and the algae
won't grow in it in summer either. NCPA and its reflection in water
add radiance and charm to each other. All the passages and
entrances are built underwater. When you walk into the center, a
layer of water is above your head, which will also give you a
special felling. Around the lake is a 39 000 m² greenbelt, which is
free of charge. People wander there to feel the valuable
tranquility in a busy city.