The Shaw Auditorium, designed by Henning Larsen, seamlessly combines a flexible, acoustically advanced auditorium with a bright, spacious social area. This creates a “big living room” for the campus community, establishing a world-class performing arts venue in Hong Kong.
The design creatively responds to the building’s multiple functions, the hillside terrain, and Hong Kong’s subtropical climate. Situated on a slope in the southern part of the Clear Water Bay campus at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the auditorium’s bold, curved form stands out among the surrounding orthogonal buildings. This distinctive shape symbolizes the artistic and cultural activities housed within. The circular structure resembles three concentric white rings interspersed with circular glass volumes, offering stunning panoramic views of Sai Kung Bay.
The building has no defined front or back, maintaining an open and welcoming presence from every angle. Day or night, it serves as a vibrant campus social hub where students can meet, study, and relax in the lobby, coffee shops, classrooms, and communal areas. The Yifu Performing Arts Center goes beyond hosting major events; it also supports the daily life of students on campus.
Known for innovation, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology’s auditorium design addresses technological challenges with creative spatial solutions. The performing arts spaces accommodate diverse activities—from live orchestras and large concerts to lectures, dinners, performances, and exhibitions. The stage scenery can be raised or lowered to create professional stages for drama and ballet. The linear seating arrangement brings the audience closer to performers, enhancing intimacy and acoustic quality. When extended, the inclined seats provide seating for 840 to 1300 people; when retracted, the space opens up for conferences, open days, and exhibitions. The curved interior walls serve as 360-degree projection screens, delivering a fully immersive audiovisual experience.
Located at the campus entrance, the Performing Arts Center connects the university with neighboring communities through art. Its oval shape naturally guides pedestrian flow. The extended elliptical ring provides shelter from wind and rain, paying homage to traditional Hong Kong architectural elements like colonnades and canopies. This passive shading strategy contributes to the building’s BEAM Platinum certification—the highest environmental rating in Hong Kong. Achieving this for an entertainment venue with varying functional and temperature demands is a remarkable accomplishment.
Technical features include a regional cooling system, photovoltaic panels covering over half the roof, an efficient facade, lighting controls, and brushless DC fan coil units. The smart ventilation system continuously monitors indoor air quality, ensuring fresh air supply while using sensors to optimize energy efficiency. Sound insulation, vibration control, and noise reduction are integrated throughout the building. The white exterior is coated with mineral paint; the performance hall’s exterior walls use renewable bamboo, and interior acoustic panels are made from Norwegian wool.
Project Drawings
△ General Layout Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Third Floor Plan
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
△ Sectional Axis Side
△ Sectional Axis Side
Project Information
Architectural Design: Henning Larsen
Area: 12,800 m²
Project Year: 2021
Photographer: Kris Provoost
Lead Architect: Henning Larsen
Executive Architect: Wong Tung and Partners
Location: Hong Kong, China
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