Gold Architecture, Building and Structure Design · 2021
Oriental Movie Metropolis Exhibition Hall
by Gao Shanxing
- A' Design Award 2021 Gold Winner in Architecture, Building and Structure Design
- Awarded April 15, 2021
- CLIENT: Gdf Ltd
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 25,780
- Verification code 240E2CF6F3 · Verify this award
About Oriental Movie Metropolis Exhibition Hall
Embedded within Starry Island's bay, the Oriental Movie Metropolis Grand Theatre was designed to present the force and spirit of the coastal city. Appearing as if sculpted by nature, the building seamlessly blends in with the symbol of a transfusion of Qingdao culture. With the aid of symbolic representation, the theatre deepens the emotional connection between the visitors and environment. The architecture is consequently theatrical in both its performance of narrative spaces and its context within the landscape.
Gao Shanxing's Oriental Movie Metropolis Exhibition Hall emerges as a remarkable achievement in contemporary architectural expression, synthesizing organic morphology with sophisticated parametric design methodologies to create a cultural landmark of exceptional visual resonance. The building's formal language appears to draw upon both biological precedents—evoking the graceful geometry of seashells, unfurling petals, or avian plumage—and the dynamic aesthetics of cinematic motion, perhaps appropriately given its function within an entertainment-focused cultural precinct. The architect demonstrates considerable command of large-scale sculptural composition, orchestrating two primary volumetric elements in a relationship of productive tension: the horizontally-oriented elliptical base, wrapped in rhythmically spaced aluminum louvers that create mesmerizing shadow patterns throughout the day, and the dramatically ascending vertical fin that introduces verticality and aspirational symbolism into the design. The chromatic strategy proves particularly sophisticated, deploying deep burgundy panels in a diagonal pattern across the white-clad surfaces to suggest energy, creativity, and perhaps the warmth of theatrical spectacle against the cooler technological precision of the primary envelope. Technical accomplishment manifests in the seamless integration of complex curved geometries with practical cladding systems, the careful resolution of the intersection between the two primary forms, and the creation of a welcoming threshold zone where glazed curtain wall mediates between the sculptural exterior and interior programmatic spaces. The surrounding plaza design thoughtfully extends the building's circular geometries into the ground plane, creating a ceremonial arrival sequence that prepares visitors for the architectural experience within. One might consider how the building's dynamic form captures something essential about the transformative power of cinema itself—the capacity to transport, inspire, and transcend ordinary experience through the magic of moving images.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The Oriental Movie Metropolis Grand Theatre stands in the Starry Island’s bay in Qingdao. With its curved form as a seaside conch, the theatre represents perfectly the local identity and culture. Parametric design enables both the efficient construction and the narrative visual effect of the comprehensive facade.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- 258334 sq. ft
- Tags
- blue sea silver conch, spatial structure, elegance, custom construction BIM
- Production Technology
- In order to reproduce the concept of silver shell, the construction constraints including complex skin, nonlinear structure, and the material precise positioning in construction process.With the aid of BIM computer system for design, construction and acceptance, it solves the nonlinearity, three-dimensional spiral and complexity limitation in the construction process.
- Design Challenge
- In order to realize the existing design concept, the Grand Theater adopts a spirally rising complex curve form, and uses a horizontal and vertical composite aluminum panel curtain wall structure to achieve this shape. This structure determines that most of the aluminum panels are hyperboloid during production, and at the same time, they need to be customized. The complexity of the corresponding components during construction and the installation accuracy requirements are very high; the installation and positioning of a large number of special-shaped aluminum panels during the curtain wall construction stage is difficult; complex The deformation control of the steel structure during the construction process is relatively difficult. To ensure safety, the construction process requires high precision in terms of steel consumption, displacement control, and synchronization.
- Project Duration
- The project was completed in Qingdao on November 15, 2017 and officially opened on April 28, 2018.
- Operation Flow
- The Oriental Movie Metropolis Grand Theatre is a cultural building specially built for the International Movie Festival. It will be the main venue of the film festival to hold the opening and closing ceremonies and award ceremonies of the film festival. It will also give consideration to comprehensive artistic performances and occasional concert performances.
At the same time, another building adjacent to the east side: the Show Theatre project, jointly creates the most important landmark building on the west coast of Huangdao District. The first SCO National Film Festival was held in Qingdao Oriental Film Capital Theatre from June 13 to June 17, 2018. - Research
- Dominated by the initial design concept, the project applies the forward BIM methodology to introduce the parametric control of spatial curves in the very first stage of design. Integrating the artistic design of form as well as the construct of NURBS curves and surfaces, the elegant double shells concept fits well with the function of theater. During the whole design and construction process, forward BIM technology is used for the design communication and file control, which enables the best translation of the initial design concept to the final built structure of the theater as well as the combination of art and technology.
- Inspiration
- Conch, the oldest marine creature, has the closest relationship with the sea. This case combines Qingdao's unique marine culture and takes the design concept of "blue sea silver conch". The grand theater with horizontal shell strips is standing by the sea. The abstract and dynamic shape perfectly blends with the ocean style and project characteristics. After completion, it will become the most shining landmark in Qingdao.
- Image Credits
- Image #1,2,3,4,5: Photograph by Wu qingshan studio