The city of Busan plans to build a new opera house as a new symbol and multifaceted center for culture events and performances for the inhabitants and visitors on their gorgeous waterfront.

Peter Ruge Architekten designed in their brand-new competition entry the opera house as new unique landmark to combine the awesome geographical situation of the site between the green mountains and the blue sea with the requirements on a modern opera and theatre building and necessity of urban public space in the city.

Busan Opera, render courtesy Peter Ruge Architekten

… the two new public spaces in the concept could get a new importance for the city of Busan – One facing west to the mountain and city side of Busan reserved for public performances – the other one is viewing east to the ocean side to celebrate the annual New Years Sunrise Festival.

In generally the reference to the history of Madang, a traditional open urban used for gathering, happenings and performances is the base for the design of it. Connecting to the two places the two main functions of the Opera House (opera and theatre) are allocated to these plazas. A thin skin, protecting from the sun and water connects the two buildings, leaving in between a pathway open for the public…

Busan Opera, render courtesy Peter Ruge Architekten

+ Design statement

Busan has a specific geography: Mountains areas are connecting directly to the Pacific Ocean. With great nature, a high density of population and an urgent demand for public spaces to be used by the inhabitants.

Busan Opera, render courtesy Peter Ruge Architekten

The two new public spaces in the concept could get a new importance for the city of Busan:

• One facing west to the mountain and city side of Busan reserved for public performances
• One viewing east to the ocean side to celebrate "New Years Sunrise Festival"

In generally the reference to the history of Madang, a traditional open urban used for gathering, happenings and performances is the base for the design of it.

Connecting to the two places the two main functions of the Opera House (opera and theatre) are allocated to these plazas.

Busan Opera - Site plan, drawing courtesy Peter Ruge Architekten

A thin skin, protecting from the sun and water connects the two buildings, leaving in between a pathway open for the public.

This supports Busan’s natural flow from mountain to the ocean, creating a good harmony between urban space and architecture.

Busan Opera - Sections, drawing courtesy Peter Ruge Architekten

The new landmark of Busan’s Opera House reflects the natural and urban energies and connects it to the performing arts spaces of "Madangnoli", at the Mountain Plaza and the Sunrise Plaza, an urban harmony with a folk performance played by ordinary people.

Busan Opera, render courtesy Peter Ruge Architekten

It is changing night and day view by its specific atmosphere.

The Construction of the building is like a wave of sounds as an environmental friendly building reflecting Korea's path to local sustainability.

+ Project credits / data

BUSAN OPERA
New opera and theatre house in Busan, Republic of Korea
International Competition, 2011

Client: The Busan International Architectural Culture Festival Organizing Committee
Yeonje gu Yeonsan5dong 1000
611-735 Busan
Republic of Korea Korea

Competition team: Peter Ruge Architekten | http://www.peter-ruge.de/
Peter Ruge, Matthias Matschewski, Hyesook Ahn, Kayoko Uchiyama, Barbara Kubicka, Zubin Daboo

Location: Busan, Republic of Korea
Brief: Design of the opera and theatre building including landscape design
Scope of services: Open international competition
Size Site: 34.928 sqm, GFA: 54.000 sqm

+ All images and drawings courtesy Peter Ruge Architekten

Slice Glass is one of latest project by Vasiliy Butenko. The concept that combines the simplicity of form and dynamics of a certain “fallingbody” created by the cutting plane. When filling a liquid form starts to”play” for the unusual distribution of content, unusual for everydaylook. The same concept is inherent functionality: a hollow shape with twosides, which allows its use as a standard position and the upside.

+ Designer: Vasiliy Butenko

+ All images courtesy Vasiliy Butenko

Slice glass, image courtesy Vasiliy Butenko

Slice glass, image courtesy Vasiliy Butenko

New York artist Michael Beitz has installed this amazing piece of functional art at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts in Omaha, NE.

+ All images courtesy Michael Beitz

Image courtesy Michael Beitz

Image courtesy Michael Beitz

The leading global design firm HBA / Hirsch Bedner Associates has completed the Residence Zanzibar. The all-villa resort is located on a remote corner of the island of Zanzibar and is the first project on the African continent for HBA’s Singapore office.

Residence Zanzibar, image courtesy Hirsch Bedner Associates

Stretching over 80 acres, the 66 villas designed by HBA boast a colonial theme and draw inspiration from the Swahili, Omani, British and Indian cultures present in Zanzibar. Each villa has its own oasis with a private terrace and swimming pool, but the structures remain modern and natural, fitting in with the surroundings.

Residence Zanzibar, image courtesy Hirsch Bedner Associates

David T’Kint and Hazlin Ahmad, HBA Associates noted,

We found Zanzibar to be a great resource for inspiration and sourced many of the artifacts and furnishings in the villas from local markets and shops.

Residence Zanzibar, image courtesy Hirsch Bedner Associates

THE DESIGN

All pieces of furniture at The Residence Zanzibar are a mix of cultures reflecting the various influences in Zanzibar's history. For example, the four poster bed in the villas are reminiscent of British style and is flanked by two nightstands inspired by Indian forms and materials such as beaten metal. In the bathroom, the vanity counter was custom designed to integrate simplified Swahili patterns while the wall sconces were drawn from traditional Omani motifs.

Residence Zanzibar, image courtesy Hirsch Bedner Associates

Locally sourced artifacts found throughout The Residence include hand-painted artwork with various scenes of Zanzibar as well as commissioned photographs of Dhows – the Arab sailing vessel. All of the buildings house a collection of interesting items including carved trunks in the Lobby, oversized Omani tea and coffee kettles in the Pavilion Restaurant, traditional Stonetown doors in the Dining Room and local handmade vases in The Spa.

Residence Zanzibar, image courtesy Hirsch Bedner Associates

In the villas, HBA used a color scheme of white and delicate shades of beige with honey colored woods and sandy tiles. The result is a romantic and distinct setting where guests can indulge in a sophisticated environment.

THE SERVICES & AMENITIES

The Residence features a state-of-the-art wellness center and spa. The spa is set in five acres of tropical gardens and features six spacious treatment pavilions, each with its own private garden, outdoor shower, bathtub and relaxation area.

Residence Zanzibar, image courtesy Hirsch Bedner Associates

The Pavilion restaurant bathed in the rich, warm colors of Zanzibar serves exotic Mediterranean cuisine of Turkey and the Middle East.

The Residence also has a Beach Club restaurant that draws inspiration from a Bedouin tent.

The Dining Room Bar consists of local woods and a hammered copper bar.

+ For more information, please visit http://www.theresidence.com/

+ All images courtesy HBA