With a fantastic proposal, the MAD architectural team won the competition for the construction of the Yiwu Grand Theater in Zhejiang province.
Inspired by the small Chinese reed boats that once plied the Dongyang River, Yiwu Grand Theater is actually shaped like a boat. An evocative translucent glass boat that "floats" on the water with lines vaguely borrowed from the ancient architecture of the region.
Its semitransparent glass facades are designed to improve the management of light and temperature.
Yiwu, the county town of China's largest market, has built its reputation on trade, not culture. To grow also in this sense, it has launched a competition for the design of an artistic and cultural hub.
The building will include a 1600-seat large theater, a 1200-seat medium theater and a 2000-seat international conference center. The project will also feature a large public green space with squares and an amphitheater that will extend directly into the waters of the Dongyang River.
“The Yiwu Grand Theater was designed as a city monument that provides residents with a new perspective,” explains MAD, the Beijing-based architecture team, winner of the tender. “In this interpretation it is thought of as a world-class place that will attract tourists from all over the planet, which also puts Yiwu on the map as a cultural destination.”
The transparency and lightness of the glass recall silk, with a structural "rhythm" that almost seems to move the building in the wind.
The structure collects heat well in winter and produces a comfortable environment, while in summer it can “open” to promote natural ventilation.
