Image credit: Tian Fangfang
The Shanghai Grand Opera House project is approaching completion, with an expected opening in the second half of this year.
Snøhetta won the competition for the scheme’s design in 2017 and developed the project in collaboration with the East China Architectural Design & Research Institute, Theatre Projects, and Nagata Acoustics.
Image credit: Honne Dang
Image credit: Tian Fangfang
Located on the bank of the Huangpu River, the opera house forms part of Shanghai’s wider cultural master plan, which aims to strengthen the city’s role as a global hub for culture, commerce, and innovation. The venue is designed to accommodate a wide range of performances, from traditional opera and orchestral music to contemporary and experimental productions.
Image credit: Tian Fangfang
Image credit: Tian Fangfang
The form of the opera house is informed by movement in dance and theater. A continuous, sweeping roof gesture wraps the site, referencing the flow of the Huangpu River while creating a unified expression. This helical roof also functions as an accessible public space, creating an elevated viewing platform and civic gathering area throughout the year. A spiralling circulation route connects the ground level to the roof, providing visitors with views across the river and the surrounding cityscape.
Image credit: Tian Fangfang
Image credit: Tian Fangfang
Elsewhere, the scheme’s design features large glazed facades that introduce daylight into public circulation areas, while sculptural red volumes define the internal spatial sequence and performance zones. Meanwhile, the surrounding landscape adopts a radial layout aligned with the building’s geometry.
Image credit: Tian Fangfang
Image credit: Tian Fangfang
Image credit: Runzi Zhu
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