Wuxi Taihu Show Theatre to stun the world

Wuxi Taihu Show Theatre was chosen as "the most anticipated building set to shape the world in 2019" by CNN.

Located close to Taihu Lake in Jiangsu province, China, the Wuxi Taihu Show Theatre concept was inspired by the Sea of Bamboo Park in Yixing, the largest bamboo forest in China. Due to open this December, the 2,000 seat theatre has been designed to house a permanent water show by Franco Dragone.

The building is composed of three primary elements: the columns, the shade canopy and the building envelope.

Representing an abstract impression of a bamboo forest, the slender white columns are positioned around the perimeter of the building in such a way as to provide a screen between the building facade and surrounding landscape. The "bamboo" columns frame the entrances to the building.

The shade canopy wraps around the perimeter of the building at roof level. Conceptually, it represents the canopy of leaves that exist at the top of a bamboo forest. The canopy is made up of various triangular bays containing rows of gold anodised aluminium louvres. Each bay is orientated randomly to create an organic quality to the structure while light and shaded patterns fall across the building and envelope it throughout the day. Each bay of louvres is also set at a different angle to heighten the sense of variation when viewed from different vantage points.

Structurally, each bay of louvres is supported on a triangular lattice structure that braces the tops of the columns and transfers their load into the primary structure of the building. The environmental purpose of the shade canopy and columns are to provide shade over the surface of the facade to passively lower the cooling load on the building.

The building envelope is primarily composed of rendered and painted block-work and curtain wall glazing. The glazing encompasses the full height of the building in and above the entrance lobby to provide maximum views into and out of the main public areas. It is fretted with white and gold stripes that travel the full height of the building mimicking "bamboo" columns and contributing to the illusion of the building being the outer edge of a bamboo forest.

At night, the building envelop is illuminated from below, becoming an ethereal beacon glimpsed between the forest of "bamboo" columns, drawing spectators and audiences in from across the lake and surrounding developments.