Abu Dhabi
- Cultural
- Landscape Design
- Competition
What if a building could almost disappear — and let the experience take center stage?
The House of Performing Arts challenges the traditional notion of the grand opera house. Its seamless mirrored façade blends into its surroundings, shifting the focus from architectural spectacle to what truly matters: the quality of every moment spent inside. From the fluid intermediate spaces to the intimacy of the opera hall itself, every detail is designed to elevate the senses.
But a performance is never just about what happens on stage. It's about connection — the conversations sparked, the encounters shared, the lingering exchange of impressions long after the final note fades. Our design embraces this: a space where music brings people together, where seeing and being seen is part of the experience, and where the joy of togetherness is as carefully considered as the acoustics themselves.
The building remains concealed behind a mirrored façade that only reveals itself upon entering the building. Instead of focusing solely on the multi-performance hall, the aim was to make the visitors’ journey to the performance area an integral part of the overall experience, a magical intermediate space.
Moreover, the location is situated adjacent to the sea and accessible by taxi boats or car. On the ground floor for services and gathering, white marble and granite cubes serve as a backdrop for the lush green landscape, illuminated courtyards, amphitheater and an artificial garden. The top part of the building wraps around the main hall and facilitates the movement of materials from workshops to the stage, as well as communication and social connection between users.
In addition, the inside features like mirrored columns and staircases, a heightened, glamorous foyer and a panoramic view of Abu Dhabi create an illusionary space. The main auditorium is highly versatile, can be tailored and accommodate up to 2000 attendees. The space is thoughtfully designed with alcoves for intimate loges, stalls, a VIP box, mezzanine, and three balconies.
Abu Dhabi
Competition
05/2023
Gross Floor Area
94 055 m²
Height
100 m
Project manager
Mira Al-Suradi
Project team
Dušan Seculić, Bernd Heger, Andreea Birzu, Gianmarco Paglierani, Michal Spolnik, Josip Dusper, Gerald Geier, Julian Heinen, Thomas Hindelang, Stefanie Obermeier
CONSULTANTS
Structural Engeneering
Bollinger+Grohmann ZT GmbH
Landscape Architecture
Yiju Ding
Cost Estimate
Kling Consult GmbH, Wenzel + Wenzel GmbH
MEP, Sustainability
CES Clean Energy Solutions GmbH
Acoustics
Müller - BBM
Theater Design
Walter Kottke Ingeneure GmbH
Accessibility and Traffic
RMC
Le Mirage
The Approach
The sense of curiosity is sustained from the main entrance on the Western Side as the emblem of the new theater district is uncovered. Visitors are enticed to explore the ground floor landscape, where a glimpse of the grandiose red-carpeted staircase leading to the heart of the main program - the multi-performance hall - hints at the path to reach it.
site plan
ground floor plan
floor plan foyer
floor plan level +70m
floor plan level +75m
Informal Performance Spaces
Alongside a series of illuminated courtyards, an artificial garden creates a unique atmosphere for informal performances. The outdoor amphitheater on the eastern side can also be utilized as a stage for concerts or performances, making it ideal for street artists and musicians to showcase their talents.
longitudinal section
cross section
functional axonometry
Concert Hall Interior
The creation of classical symphonic concerts featuring orchestras and solo artists involves the installation of a mobile orchestra room. This room is pre-configured from the backstage area with a high-quality architectural design that is tailored to the appearance of the hall and meets the strictest acoustic requirements.
The concert hall is configured to accommodate up to 100 seats at the back of the choir.
