Tokyo based firm Francois Blanciak Architect designed this proposal for the competition to design the Taipei Performing Art Center, which was won by OMA.

From the architects:

‘As a cultural reference to a Taiwanese aboriginal construction technique using slabstone heaps, the project similarly piles up 4 slabstones (3 containing theaters, 1 containing administrative spaces) in a cairn-like structure. In order to emphasize the public nature of the building, it is elevated on top of a wide upper plaza, upon a plinth that liberates the movement of pedestrians on the ground level. By concentrating the functions vertically, the project seeks to directly translate the notion of ‘center’ for this set of performance venues, as all of the amenities are conceived around the same core. In addition, the oval pebble-like shape proves particularly suitable to accomodate theaters in its interior, since it naturally reflects sound in multiple directions.

Structurally, the overhanging truss beams that carry the four programmatic elements transmit the load to a set of four massive vertical cores which form a square in plan, thus ensuring the stability of a building form which has a strong record  in terms of solidity as a universal piece of vernacular land art.’

More pictures: www.blanciak.com.

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2. OMA Wins Competition For The Taipei Performing Arts Center
3. The Performing Arts Center // Taipei // Taiwan // NL Architects
4. The Performing Arts Center // Taipei // Taiwan // MVRDV
5. Yoyogi Building // Tokyo // Japan // François Blanciak