Nanjing Performing Arts Center

Architects: Preston Scott Cohen, Inc. (Design Architect); Institute of Architectural Design and Planning with Atelier Zhang Lei (Chinese architect of record)

Location: Nanjing, China
Client: Nanjing University
Project Area: 16,000 sqm
Budget: RMB 3,000/sqm
Design Year: 2007
Construction Year: 2008-2009

Located centrally in the new Nanjing University Campus in Xianlin, this building aims to offer a singular expression of the dialogue between two opposing paradigmatic forms of symbolic significance: a curving roof that appears to be related to the landscape of the larger campus context, and a tower which acts as a beacon and observation point. The design exploits the techniques and economy of local construction practices as a means to develop an exceptional form. The interior follows an exceedingly compact plan of different types and sizes of rooms and auditoriums.