Ningbo Beilun Culture Center

gmp wins competition for the construction of a new culture center in the Chinese port city of Ningbo! Right at the heart of the Beilun neighborhood, directly opposite the district administration, a building for cultural functions will be constructed. The plinth is clad with copper-colored steel panels that are perforated with traditional regional motifs. Above the plinth, there are three terraced layers containing one theater with 1200 seats, one multi-functional concert hall with 400 seats, and the District Culture Center. Here, the facades are clad with louvers that permit views into the foyers and lobbies. With its shape, the new building becomes a fixed point in the urban topography; its terraced design is a reference to the nearby Phoenix Mountain.

The main entrance faces the government building and Beilun Central Park bordering it to the south, where a forecourt with a pond and integrated water features will be created. The roof terraces, which are accessible to the public, are designed as park-like recreation areas. In the roof at third-floor level an amphitheater will be integrated that is oriented towards the park and the water features. In this way the Beilun Culture Center not only serves the cultural needs of the district, but also those of the young population that primarily consists of families with children and teenagers.