Zaha Hadid Architects Creates a Cultural Center with a Wavy Roof That Mirrors a River
At this juncture, it’s fair to declare that [Zaha Hadid Architects](https://www.zaha-hadid.com/) (ZHA) is among the globe’s most pioneering architecture firms. Over the years, ZHA has led bold, ambitious, and at times surprising projects, ranging from a [luxurious Roman hotel](https://mymodernmet.com/zaha-hadid-architects-hotel-romeo-roma/) to a [cutting-edge science fiction museum](https://mymodernmet.com/zha-chengdu-science-fiction-museum/). Amid the ongoing construction of its 46-story [Shenzhen Institute of Financial Technology tower](https://www.zaha-hadid.com/architecture/shenzhen-institute-of-financial-technology/), the firm is set to return to China for another venture. This time, however, ZHA is focusing on something with a greater emphasis on performance.
Situated in the center of Shaoxing, China, the Zhejiang Shaoxing Shangyu District Cao’e River [Culture and Art Center](https://www.zaha-hadid.com/architecture/zhejiang-shaoxing-shangyu-district-caoe-river-culture-and-art-centre/) will highlight the city’s latest cultural district and is designed to accommodate local and international opera, dance, music, and drama events. These performances can take place across various grand spaces, including the Center’s 1,400-seat Grand Theater, 500-seat Black-Box Multifunctional Hall, Heritage Museum, Arts and Education Center, or Digital Art Gallery. Based on these attributes alone, it is evident that cultural expression drives the Shaoxing Culture and Art Center more than anything else. This becomes even clearer through the design elements of the structure.
Nothing conveys this concept better than the center’s roof, which undulates in elegant curves akin to the nearby river terrain. Glazed tiles adorn the roof, imparting an organic luster that resembles a stone shaped and smoothed by the flow of the river. In addition, this striking silhouette is also meant to evoke China’s craft heritage as well as the local architectural style, which frequently features interconnected, sloped roofs. These dynamic forms flawlessly complement the Center’s facades, which, according to ZHA, are a “modern interpretation” of jade-green Celadon ceramics.
“[These] ceramics originated locally at the onset of the Northern Song Dynasty around 1,200 years ago,” ZHA elaborates. “In this manner, traditional materials and contemporary architecture are seamlessly integrated, defining a 21st-century cultural structure with a direct link to the region’s historical heritage.”
The Shaoxing Culture and Art Center incorporates several layers of public areas alongside tranquil, sheltered courtyards, outdoor gathering spots, and terraced realms. ZHA’s commitment to greenery is evident in the Center’s eco-friendly design, which is directly responsive to Shaoxing’s subtropical monsoon climate.
“The expansive sloping roofs feature broad overhangs around the perimeter of each venue, offering effective shading for the glass facades,” ZHA further states. “Seasonal solar analysis of the site has informed the roofs’ shapes to develop self-shading areas that substantially reduce solar heat gain within the building and provide shade for the outdoor courtyards during the summer months.”
The project is currently in its “Detailed Design” phase, with ZHA recently unveiling renderings of the Center. For further information regarding the Shaoxing Culture and Art Center, visit the Zaha Hadid Architects [website](https://www.zaha-hadid.com/).
## Crafted by Zaha Hadid Architects, the Shaoxing Culture and Art Center pays homage to the neighboring Cao’e River, thanks to its elegantly flowing roof.
## The Center is designed to accommodate local and international performances of opera, dance, music, and drama, while also celebrating China’s rich architectural and craft heritage.
## The Shaoxing Culture and Art Center is presently in its “Detailed Design” phase, with no established completion date at this time.
#### **Zaha Hadid Architects:** [**Website**](https://www.zaha-hadid.com/) **|** [**Facebook**](https://www.facebook.com/ZHANews)
#### *My Modern Met has granted permission to display images by Zaha Hadid Architects.*
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