Chongqing Grand Theater

The Grand Theater is situated on a headland above the Yangtze, directly opposite the business district of Chongqing. The uniqueness of the location and the panoramic view of the cityscape, together with the building’s sculptural architecture, makes the theater a landmark. A stone platform base supports the glass sculpture; the ground plan and elevation are subject to strict functional requirements despite their expressiveness. Thanks to the light that emerges from the inside, and the reflections of light and water on the complexly angled and refractive glass surfaces, the building appears to glow in new moods created by the light. Wherever daylight and sunshine make their way into the building’s interior, the glass shell serves as a climatic skin that allows for views in and out of the building, connecting the interior and the exterior. In areas where the interior should remain concealed, a second, massive shell provides the necessary protection. Both concert halls with their foyers are situated in the longitudinal axis, similar to the keel line of a ship, thus forming entrance areas at the bow and the stern. In the center is the exhibition hall, which joins the theater foyers together.