The Grand Opera House in Shanghai has been conceived as one of the city’s future cultural landmarks. The architectural design responds to this ambition with a sculptural form that conveys movement and openness. The flowing lines of the building’s envelope evoke a sense of dynamism, while the tiered roof structure is reminiscent of a traditional Chinese hand fan in its open state. A generous external staircase links the surrounding park to the publicly accessible rooftop, anchoring the building within its urban setting.
At the heart of the opera house lies the main auditorium – one of three state-of-the-art performance spaces. The building also offers a wide range of publicly accessible functions, including foyers, galleries, restaurants and libraries. In this way, the opera house serves not only as a venue for music enthusiasts but also as a vibrant cultural destination for the wider public. Expansive glazed foyer areas reinforce this idea of openness while allowing natural daylight to permeate the interior.
Structurally, the building comprises an internal reinforced concrete frame and an external roof structure formed as a composite steel-and-concrete system. The spiralling, cantilevered staircase that wraps around the building and leads up to the roofscape represents the most technically and geometrically complex structural element.
The opera house is a key component of Shanghai’s new urban masterplan and plays a significant role in shaping the cultural identity of the district.
