"The Egg" - National Centre for the Performing Arts (Beijing, China)
N 39° 54.200 E 116° 23.012
50S E 447304 N 4417210
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...
Waymark Code: WM7KB7
Location: China
Date Posted: 11/04/2009
Views: 23
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.