Beijing’s National Grand TheatreTransforms the Cityscape
In a clear signal of openness and modern tempo, Chinas National Grand Theatre has taken shape in the heart of Beijing, just blocks from the Forbidden City. The futuristic titanium and glass-clad bubble600 meters in perimeteris one of the new buildings by international designers that are changing the dynamic of the capitals generally modest cityscape.
A labor-intensive array of welded steel arches, economical only with Chinas low-cost work force, supports the cultural centers shimmering enclosure. Inside the immense dome, an opera house with curving walls and deceptively cunning acoustics, likely will be the center of attention.