Busan opera House \ Wahag Studio

Participation of Wahag studio in the international ideas competition to establish a design for the busan opera house to start to construct in 2014 (expected). The opera house will include a variety of facilities that will foster a wide range of artistic activities all the while being accessible to the city’s citizens. The grand scale of this project will be suitable for busan’s status as an international city.

Busan opera House, render courtesy Wahag Studio

Concept

The form consists of three major forms (the opera house, multipurpose hall, cafe & library zone), the three forms have the same profile line (cross section), but in different heights according to the activity of each area.

these profiles are connected together creating the form in the shape of mountain and with the form of three dancing birds around a circle, combining dancing, singing, and performing in one building.

Busan opera House, render courtesy Wahag Studio

The three dancing birds making a ring space which is used as the outdoor plaza, and three main areas, as idea that people, culture and nature meet in one place that combine dancing, singing and performing.

Most of the walking areas are ramps to connect different levels considering an easy flow of people getting in and out, besides that considering handicaps in all circulation of the project.

Busan opera House, diagram courtesy Wahag Studio

Form evolution

the target is to merge the exterior with the interior, to make the visitor travel from the work world to the entertainment & culture world, form is combination of (3) buildings in one body surrounding the main plaza that mixes the spirit (the main hall) + the entertainment (multipurpose) + recreation (library & restaurant) in one place adding the city skyline view to the privacy to the place.

Busan opera House, diagram courtesy Wahag Studio

The project is a symbolic building on the sea front of busan, the idea is to make a building that attracts the eye and feel interested to visit it, as the white color in the morning is so recognized beside the surround skyscrapers , and the lights by night gives it a unique appearance on the sea front.

The main entrance comes from the pedestrian bridge direct to the center of the project inside the plaza, so it is easy to know direction and places in the building because of the shape size and facade.

Busan opera House - Floor plan, drawing courtesy Wahag Studio

Busan opera House - Elevation, drawing courtesy Wahag Studio

Structure & colors

structure is space truss depending on the curvature of the form the weight of building is distributed to the ground. The skin of the form changes its color and because of the curvature it gives gradient with different hues.

Many Thanks to AORTA for his permission to use his awesome work “Opera Birds”

+ Project credits / data

Location: Busan, South Korea
Type of Competition: Open International Competition
Site Area: 35,000 m2
Team work: Wahag Studio Team | http://www.wahagstudio.com/
Architect: M.Mansour Gebaly, Wael Hussein Mahmoud

+ All images and drawings courtesy Wahag Studio