I rarely start with a floor plan but let’s just take a – long – minute here to break down what’s happening. 1) Whatever is in that cantilevered sphere is called the “micro stage” (note that the english is all lower case) 2) how you seem to get there is by the “publicloooooop” (note the number of “o” in that) 3) the hierarchy in the plan emphasizes the throughways rather than the gathering spaces (my theory: this place is pretty damn confusing to navigate but that seems standard OMA to be honest).
I do think that the textures of OMA buildings are often the most intriguing aspects. How we can mold and shape the physical state of materials is truly a kind of manipulation of nature that perhaps only humans have been able to achieve. The wave of this glass is particularly friendly- just the right approachability of curve. I’m curious as to how custom these pieces are or whether they were able to systematize the manufacturing at all.
There’s something happening here with the striped pattern on the floor. It seems to extend even to the inside of the building… does it in fact start at a center point inside the building and span out? These OMA people are fascinating. As I wander around the world, in my thoughts and across these spaces- I find themes, most recently atriums. In the last few months, I have to say, the floors are winning. I’ve recently come across the edgework (look it up) and the notion of an edge is what I’ll call out here. We cross over into any number of spaces but what is the boundary in which we pass. While this building is extreme enough in itself, there’s a wonderful completeness to the experience by changing the floor on which it resides.
I started this blog because of the Dutch’s love of the cantilever- and OMA (being Dutch) embraces this to it’s fullness with the Taipei Performing Arts Center. It is grander in picture- the height at which these cantilevers reside is awe inducing.
There is something quite cheeky and playful in the graphics of this building and I think with all the seriousness we try to achieve, that this is a reminder to embrace life with some kind of character (an interesting or amusing individual).
It was at great generosity and insistence that I was able to visit this building. How can you ever express gratitude for something like that? With all the performing arts and music centers I visited on this trip to Taiwan, there’s clearly an affinity and appreciation for culture here. I will and must return to join in these spaces of which they offer their sense of belongingness to each other…. with character.
Address: No. 1號, Jiantan Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111
Website: ArchDaily write-up
ofallthespaces 