The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) has announced five design teams invited to submit proposals for the Xiqu Center, which will be the first landmark building within Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District. Serving as the main theatre and Team House, the Xiqu Center will form the gateway into the £1.7bn, Foster-designed masterplan once it is complete towards the end of 2015.
Mr. Louis Yu, Executive Director, Performing Arts stated, “There has been a fantastic response to our plans for the Xiqu Centre from design teams from across the world. We are working hard to find the right team to work with to fulfill our ambitions. The shortlisted teams will meet with representatives of the Chinese opera artform, engaging with stakeholders so we can conceive together a world-class building for Hong Kong and for the development and promotion of this important form of Chinese cultural heritage.”
The five shortlisted teams are:
- BTA & RLP Company Limited
- Foster + Partners with O Studio Architects
- Mecanoo architecten / Leigh & Orange
- Safdie Architects LLC
- Wong & Ouyang (HK) Ltd. (in collaboration with Diamond and Schmitt)
The Xiqu Center is the first of 17 key arts and cultural venues planned for the ambitious West Kowloon Cultural District. The venue will include a 1,100-seat main theatre, a 400-seat small theatre, a tea house for smaller performances, plus training and education facilities.
Schematic designs are due before October 5. Entries will be assessed by an international jury of arts and culture professionals. Each team will be paid £80,000.
Learn more about the West Kowloon Cultural District City Park masterplan here on ArchDaily.
