In recent years, international architects have been responsible for some of Vancouver’s most ambitious, out-of-the-ordinary building designs, but there have been outflows in local influence as well to other parts of the globe.

The first major arts and cultural institution at West Kowloon Cultural District at Hong Kong’s Kowloon waterfront opened its doors to the public this week, and it is designed by one of Vancouver’s most celebrated architectural firms.

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Vancouver-based Revery Architecture, formerly known as Bing Thom Architects, is behind the design of the Xiqu Centre — located near West Kowloon Station and International Commerce Centre, the city’s tallest building.

The Chinese opera house’s 320,000 sq. ft. of floor area includes a 1,073-seat Grand Theatre, a 200-seat Tea House Theatre, eight professional studios and a seminar hall, and a large open atrium for common space and exhibitions.

This was one of the last projects by late Vancouver architect Bing Thom, who died suddenly in Hong Kong in 2016 from a brain aneurysm. His designs in the Vancouver area include the UBC Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, Sunset Community Centre, Surrey City Centre Library, Central City Surrey, Guildford Aquatic Centre, Aberdeen Centre, and the upcoming Butterfly residential tower.

His opera house design, chosen by Hong Kong officials in 2012 after an international competition, was inspired by traditional Chinese lanterns and blends traditional and contemporary elements to “reflect the evolving nature of the art form.”

“Xiqu Centre’s glowing facade… comprises a modular system of scaled fins CNC-cut from untreated marine-grade aluminum pipe and arrayed in alternating patterns along the building,” reads the architectural firm’s description of its design.

“The façade’s woven metal panels are gently pulled back like curtains at all four corners of the building, radiating light to the exterior and enticing a vibrant free-flow of visitors in and out of the interior courtyard to enjoy exhibitions.”

The USD$346-million project provides both the waterfront area and the West Kowloon Cultural District with a new visual landmark.

When complete, the decades-long planned 99-acre cultural district will feature park and open spaces, a contemporary and visual art museum, a lyric theatre complex, a historical museum featuring displays from Beijing’s Imperial Court, an exhibition centre, and housing for artists.

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