Wuxi Grand Theatre

New opera house with 1 700 seats accompanied by a 700-seat comprehensive performance hall. 2013 Architizer A+ jury Award, Architecture and Environment category.

The 1 700-seat opera hall as seen from stage. Photo © Kahle Acoustics

The opera hall features a highly novel wall concept of stacked curved bands, constructed out of bamboo blocks. This concept made it possible to “invisibly” integrate efficient acoustic reflectors into a beautiful architecture. Photo © Kahle Acoustics

Information Sheet

New Build Wuxi Grand Theatre.

Location Wuxi, China.

Project Cost 150 million €.

Time Frame Design: 2008-2010. Construction: 2009-2011. Opening: May 2012.

Owner Office for the Construction of Important Urban Projects in Wuxi.

Architect(s) Pekka Salminen, Tuomas Silvennoinen, Martin Lukasczyk, PES-Architects, Helsinki www.pesark.com • Shanghai Institute of Architectural Design & Research (SIADR).

Theatre Planner(s) Akukon Oy, Helsinki www.akukon.fr

Seat Count 1 700-seat opera hall and 700-seat comprehensive performance hall. Total area 68 000 m².

Uses Opera hall: Occidental and Chinese opera, symphonic and chamber music orchestras, recitals. Comprehensive performance hall: amplified music and chamber music orchestras.

Services Full acoustic concept and detailed design of opera hall. Acoustic consultancy services for advice on key parts of the building, including comprehensive performance hall and foyers.

Team Eckhard Kahle, Project Manager, Thomas Wulfrank, Kahle Acoustics • Henrik Möller, Akukon Oy, Helsinki. In collaboration with Akukon Oy, Helsinki, and Zhang Kui Sheng Design Institute, Shanghai, for local construction supervision.