christian de portzamparc erects cidade das artes in rio

christian de portzamparc erects cidade das artes in rio
photo by nelson kon
all images courtesy of christian de portzamparc

‘cidade das artes’, a new public arts facility, forms the center point of a developing major district rio de janerio, brazil. designed by french architect christian de portzamparc, the project serves as a much needed civic symbol for the region, providing rio, and its visitors with an identifiable cultural landmark. imagined as a self contained city, the complex includes a philharmonic hall, which can be converted into a opera house, exhibition galleries and dance studios, in addition to a variety of restaurants and shops. ‘cidade das artes’ is also the headquarters of the brazilian symphonic orchestra.

the complex forms the center point of a developing major district within rio
photo by nelson kon

the building’s form is closely related to its environment, with linear planes echoing the horizontality of the ocean, and the fluid, curved elements of the design recalling the neighboring mountain range. one large structure is enclosed by two substantial planes: the terrace, raised ten meters off the ground, and the roof plate. the terrace, a plinth offering views of the sea and the surrounding mountain range, is an inviting public space which connects the scheme, serving as an access point to all areas of the center. internally, curved concrete walls are responsible for delineating spaces, presenting an interaction of solid and voided and volumes.

the structure is enclosed by two substantial planes
photo by nelson kon

the project is imagined as a self contained city
photo by nelson kon

a ramp providing access to the raised plinth
photo by andre vieira

the scheme offers views of the neighboring mountain range
photo by nelson kon

the terrace connects each of the center’s programs
photo by nelson kon

internal circulation spaces within the design
photos by nelson kon

dance rehearsal space flooded with natural light
photo by nelson kon

theater and chamber music hall
photo by nelson kon

‘cidade das artes’ illuminated at night
photo by nelson kon

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project info:

program: cultural equipment: philharmonic hall (1,800 seats), transformable into an opera hall (1,300 seats), chamber music hall (500 seats), electro-acoustic room (180 seats), headquarters of the brazilian symphonic orchestra, music school, 10 rehearsal rooms, media library, 3 movies theaters, restaurant, shops, administration offices, technical spaces and parking lots.

client: city hall of rio de janeiro, secretaria municipal das culturas
acoustics: xu acoustique – xu ya ying – (france), acùstica & sônica (brazil)
scenography: changement à vue – jacques dubreuil (france), ze augusto nepomucen (brazil)
landscape designer: CAP, fernando chancel
surface area: 46,000 sqm
gross total area: 90,000 sqm