A puzzle theater for Guangzhou, China by Steven Chilton Architects

Iryna Isachenko / Architecture / November 16, 2018

Steven Chilton Architects (SCA) is a group of London designers who set as their goal "creative use of technology to create unexpected architecture capable of surprising and enthralling." Another example of the unrestrained flight of their imagination is a theater project in Guangzhou, the design of which was inspired by a traditional Chinese ivory puzzle.

Layer-in-layer or "devil's layer" - this is how interior decorations in the form of multi-layered spheres, carved from a single piece of ivory by Chinese virtuoso masters, were called in Europe. Each such layer consists of ten or more layers.

Puzzle Ball is a traditional carved puzzle ball that became a prototype for creating the image of a new theater

"Honored for their beauty and mystery, demonstrating the mastery of the carver, these balls are the embodiment of the best architectural qualities", - this is how the architectural office explained the choice of the prototype for creating the image.

Visualization of the Puzzle Ball theater project in Guangzhou, China. Image source: Steven Chilton Architects

Steven Chilton Architects designed the building, the structural basis of which is a two-layer geodesic dome made of steel tubular elements, on which movable perforated panels made of aluminum and glass are fixed.

Visualization of the Puzzle Ball theater project in Guangzhou, China. Image source: Steven Chilton Architects

The outer shell structure also has abstract perforations and is made of fiberglass-reinforced concrete. Input groups have the most complex geometry, demonstrating the multi-layered nature of the carved layer. The movement of the internal panels will be controlled by a computer program that allows creating various lighting scenarios for theatrical performances. The theater hall will accommodate 2 spectators.

Visualization of the Puzzle Ball theater project in Guangzhou, China. Image source: Steven Chilton Architects

The proposals of Steven Chilton Architects may seem fantastic, however, in the Chinese city of Wuxi, located not far from Shanghai, the construction of the second theater designed by them is already in full swing, the facade of which resembles a bamboo grove.