Busan Opera House Proposal | Diana Q. de Saul & Alejendro Munevar

The effortless curves and flow of the Busan Opera House by Diana Quintero De Saul is representative of many architectural concepts that have found priority in recent pursuits of architecture. The idea of creating an environment for recreational and educational activities through a cultural iconic form is something most architects strive for, hoping their proposed building becomes a hallmark for the city it’s located in.

The design was organized around three principal wavelengths generated parametrically based on pre-existing local tensions. The site in which the building is located connects to a stunning ocean view to the west, a bustling city to the east, and a thriving cultural district to the south, all of which played a part in the final form. The building emerges as a whole, but is essentially a product of three analogical volumes designed to function independently while interconnected through smooth special transitions. The three programs include an opera house with a capacity of 2000 people, a multi-purpose theater with a capacity of 1500, and an art exposition room for exhibits and rehearsals.

The general meeting point would be located at the central plaza, home not only for public space and gatherings but for social activities as well, including a multi-use amphitheater for various events. The roof gardens follow the contours of the waves emphasizing the gesture. The green roof was integrated into the design as a way to integrate green energy technology into the design as well as begin to bring the lush regional environment with the city Opera.

Although the main ideas about creating an iconic piece of architecture inspired by its surrounding environment that is concerned about multi-use space and green technology isn’t very original, most things in architecture hardly are. Yet the beautiful execution of this project not only shows the grace and elegance of architecture, pushing it more into the realms of art rather than design, and assures us that we are asking the right questions when it comes to architecture and that the solutions are endless.