Plan Magazine - Zaha Hadid reveals designs for Amman cultural centre

5 February 12

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Zaha Hadid reveals designs for Amman cultural centre
Zaha Hadid Architects is to design the new King Abdullah II House of Culture & Art in the Jordanian capital of Amman

Image: HADID1

The performing arts and cultural centre will include a 1600-seat concert theatre, 400-seat theatre, educational centre, rehearsal rooms, and galleries. Construction works are scheduled to begin in early 2012.
Conceived as a place to rehearse, discuss, teach, study and perform, the King Abdullah II House of Culture & Art will be the premiere venue for theatre, music and dance performance and education in Jordan – a vital element in the cultural life of the city and country, bringing together all members of the community in the shared experience of art and music.

Image: HADID2

According to the architects, the expression for the new performing arts centre has been inspired by the magnificent ancient city of Petra. “Petra is an astonishing example of the wonderful interplay between architecture and nature, as well as the intricate complexity and elegance of natural forms - the rose-colored mountain walls have been eroded, carved and polished to reveal the astonishing strata of sedimentation. We have applied these principles to articulate the public spaces within the centre, with eroded interior surfaces that extend into the public plaza in front of the building.”
Zaha Hadid Architects was awarded the project in June 2008 after an international competition that included Snøhetta (Norway), Atelier Christian de Portzamparc (France), Delugan Meissl (Austria), Henning Larsens Tegnestue (Denmark) and Kerry Hill Architects (Singapore).

Image: HADID3