Zaha Hadid Architects, in collaboration with the Central South Architectural Institute, has been chosen to design the Cao’e River Cultural and Art Center. This prestigious project is situated along the banks of the Cao’e River in Shangyu District, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, China.
The center is designed to host a variety of performances, including domestic and international operas, dances, theatrical productions, large-scale symphonies, and musicals. The building features a ceramic facade and solar panel roofing. It includes a grand theater with 1,400 seats and a multifunctional hall accommodating 500 seats.
Additional facilities within the center include a 2,900 square meter art education center, a 3,000 square meter conference center, a 7,500 square meter heritage museum, and a 10,000 square meter digital art gallery, all thoughtfully integrated into the design.
The exterior design draws inspiration from jade green celadon, a ceramic style originating from the Northern Song Dynasty over 1,200 years ago, with all materials locally sourced. The design incorporates a large sloping roof with wide overhangs surrounding the building and its venues, providing shade and protection during extreme weather conditions.
This sloping roof also creates self-shaded areas, significantly reducing the heat absorbed inside the building and contributing to energy efficiency.
The smooth shading structures extend downward to the center’s southern facade, providing additional protection from solar radiation for both the venue and its visitors. Solar panels are installed on the roof to harness green energy from natural sunlight, reducing the building’s reliance on the municipal power grid.
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