National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts – Weiwuying
Mecanoo / Francine Houben · Kaohsiung, Taiwan · 2018
Weiwuying is a vast performing-arts complex whose continuous roof sweeps over theatres, foyers and a large open-air public space known as the Banyan Plaza. Mecanoo drew on the spreading canopy of local banyan trees to create a building that can be crossed and occupied even without entering a performance venue. Four major halls are gathered beneath the single flowing form, while the surrounding former military site has been transformed into a metropolitan park. Opened in 2018, Weiwuying is one of Asia’s largest performing-arts centers and a major example of climate-responsive public architecture.