UNStudio, in a joint venture with AD+RG, has been selected by the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) to provide consultancy services for the design and administration of the construction of the Lyric Theatre in the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD), which is scheduled for completion by 2019. The schematic design for the theatre is expected to be unveiled this autumn, with the design being carried out in UNStudio’s Shanghai and Hong Kong offices. UNStudio is the Lead Architecture Designer and AD+RG is the Lead Architecture Consultant.
Says Ben van Berkel, “We are delighted to have been selected to contribute to the creation of one of the largest and most exciting new arts and cultural districts in the world and even more so, as we can now work closely with AD+RG, the WKCDA and the local arts community through a dedicated team at our Hong Kong office.”
Says Prof. Bernard V. Lim, “The Lyric Theatre will be a world-class performance destination for many artists. It is our great honour to joint venture with world renowned architect UNStudio, to work together with the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, to deliver such a meaningful project to promote arts and culture to the people of Hong Kong and beyond.”
The 1,200-seat Lyric Theatre will be Hong Kong’s first world-class facility for dance performances, including ballet, contemporary and Chinese dance forms. In the run-up to the opening of further major performing arts venues in the WKCD, it will also be used for a wide variety of performing arts events, including drama, opera and musical performances. The Lyric Theatre will act as a platform for Hong Kong’s leading arts organizations, and be a new major venue to show programs from Asia and worldwide.