Busan Opera House - Concept Design/Theatre

Heaven, earth and water are very important elements in Korean philosophy. Snohetta physically responds to this by creating two contrasting curves where one relates to the sky and the other curve relates to the sea.

Sitting on a reclaimed land on the waterfront of Busan, this cultural center aims to make opera, an art form historically enjoyed only by the elites (in this country), more accessible and mainstream. The building is one story optimizing the circulation of the masses entering this space, where one can access the centralized auditorium easily from any entrance. The auditorium is treated as the "heart" of the center by being wrapped in warm solid cherry wood panels while the exterior contrasts the warmness, which is made up of glass and marble.