Anders Berensson Architects

Entry for an opera competition in Taipei. A tornado-shaped skyscraper that works both as an opera and a windmill. A powerful energy generating machine on the outside with an inside that transcends the visitors from the bustling city to a serene world of the performing arts.

One of the positive aspects of raising the building is that it creates a generous public space around it. The square slopes gently towards the entrance, surrounded by pearls, the visitors descends fading into the building like entering an ocean.

A great spiral of pearls is the main focal point of the entrance hall, you can either take the elevator through it or the ramp around it, by foot or with the VIP Train of pearls, taking you all the way into the Grand Theater.

The Grand theater is embedded in pearls, creating an elegant and modern experience for the audience. The semi-transparent pearls are lit from behind and dim the light, creating a glowing sensation. Depending on the performance, the ambiance can be set into different modes. The building performs on its own for the city, generating culture, urban life and pure sustainable energy for its vicinity.

The façade is covered with curved blades attached on segments that rotate with the wind, generating energy to the building and to the city. The pearls are non-toxic and non-flamable acrylic balls with a tint of reflection.

A chandelier of pearls in the middle of the theater drops seamlessly from the roof like a jewel, radiating an ambient light. The VIP Train is now converted into comfortable seats.

Reaching the roof terrace, the pearls subsides into clouds. Walking around among the clouds one can experience panorama views of Taipei. This is all strongly manifested from the visual effect of its rotating facade.

Pearls in different sizes is combined into various landscapes inside the building to enhance the theatre experience.

This competition was a collaboration with Markus Wagner.