Isola Della Musica Opera House, Vietnam
Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW), in collaboration with PTW Architects, has begun construction of the Isola della Musica, a new opera house and convention center in Hanoi, Vietnam. Inspired by the region's history of pearl cultivation, the building features a series of curved concrete shells whose forms and surfaces evoke the texture and luminosity of mother-of-pearl. The building will appear to rise from the water, establishing a visual link between the two lakes and creating a new cultural landmark visible from the surrounding shores.
The project is defined by its thin ribbed concrete shell, a three-dimensional catenary structure. The shell accommodates openings between the ribs to bring light into the interiors without compromising structural integrity. Covered by a secondary outer skin that acts as a rain screen, the design uses a layered system that integrates structure, enclosure, and acoustic performance. The exterior is envisioned in ceramic tiles of varying sizes, following the curvature of the shell and producing a dynamic, iridescent surface that changes appearance with shifting light and weather conditions.
The new cultural complex includes two main venues: a 1,800-seat opera hall and a 1,000-seat convention hall, both designed for flexibility to accommodate diverse performances and events. The project combines advanced structural engineering with material precision to express a synthesis of mathematics, nature, and craftsmanship.
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