The complex, designed by the Atelier Apeiron Architects, led by Yunchao Xu, stands out for its imposing architecture, characterized by large-scale arches that guide access to the three main pavilions it comprises. Yunchao Xu’s team won a 2018 competition organized by the Chinese government to design this ambitious project.
Located between the mountain and the river, surrounded by residential towers and an urban park, the complex features an architecture that develops in terraces, with an arch that stretches from the mountain to the river, blending harmoniously with the landscape. On the ground floor, three imposing arches provide visitors with a sense of transparency and fluidity. The design evokes, in some way, the iconic style of Oscar Niemeyer, with natural light flooding the interior spaces through skylights that connect to the gardens at the top, creating open-air stages with incredible views of the river and the mountain.
According to Yunchao Xu, the design was conceived to foster a sense of community, with the three arches leading to distinct spaces: the Knowledge Hall, the Performance Hall, and the Exhibition Hall. The Knowledge Hall, inspired by the Helsinki Central Library, will be a center for public activity, while the Performance Hall will serve as a hub for performing arts. The Exhibition Hall, equipped with strategically positioned skylights, will house art and science exhibitions.
The complex, which includes a library, an archive center, a concert hall, a cultural center, an art gallery, a science museum, and activity areas for children, women, the elderly, and youth, was designed with a modular system that ensures space diversity. The landscaped platforms at the top of the complex include a semicircular stage, a circular auditorium, a children’s theme park, restaurants, and leisure areas, covering 65% of the area with a sustainable irrigation system.
With the architectural and structural issues concluded, a new challenge arises: how will the governments of the Greater Bay Area collaborate on the programming of the cultural spaces? Will they promote integrated growth of the artistic and cultural scene, or will they compete individually for the region’s audience? What artistic and cultural programming might the Hengqin complex offer to attract art and culture enthusiasts from the Greater Bay Area?
These questions are crucial for the future of the complex and the region, including the balanced representation of the diverse cultures of the Greater Bay Area, the promotion of environmental and social sustainability, accessibility for all population groups, and collaboration with local artists. It is vital for the complex to position itself as an international cultural destination, attracting visitors from outside the region, as well as offering educational and training programs for new generations of artists and cultural managers.
