New opera house with 1700 seats accompanied by a 700-seat comprehensive performance hall.

The 1700-seat opera hall.
© PES-Architects
Novel acoustic design according to the banded auditorium concept.
© PES-Architects
The 1700-seat opera hall as seen from stage.
© PES-Architects
Long section through the opera hall.
© PES-Architects
Sample of bamboo acoustic panels.
© PES-Architects
Information Sheet

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Location   Wuxi, China.

Project Cost   150 million €.

Time Frame   Design 2008-2010, construction 2009-2011, expected opening in 2012.

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

Architect(s)   Pekka Salminen, Martin Lukasczyk, PES-Architects, Helsinki; and Shanghai Institute of Architectural Design & Research (SIADR).

Theatre Planner(s)   Akukon Oy, Helsinki.

Seat Count   1700-seat opera hall and 700-seat comprehensive performance hall. Total area 68 000 m².

Uses   Opera house: 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, and Henrik Möller, Akukon Oy, Helsinki. In collaboration with Akukon Oy, Helsinki, and Zhang Kui Sheng Design Institute, Shanghai, for local construction supervision.