Japanese architect Tadao Ando to design ‘Il Teatro’ for Arada
Tadao Ando will create a performing arts centre for Sharjah’s Aljada lifestyle community
Developer Arada has appointed Tadao Ando as the designer for its new performing arts centre, Il Teatro, which is set to play a prominent role in Sharjah’s lifestyle community, Aljada.
A fully fledged cultural complex spread over a 260,000sqft, the ‘Il Teatro at Aljada’ and its surrounding plaza will host a wide variety of performances and shows, including opera, theatre, dance, ballet, musicals, concerts, films, art exhibitions and festivals.
As well as a 2,000-seat auditorium, Il Teatro will incorporate a gallery and boutique restaurant. Arada explained that the design for Il Teatro consists of a pure, cylindrical concrete mass, which faces a multi-layered cultural plaza.
Featuring Tadao Ando’s trademark of architectural simplicity, the cultural centre’s design will boast a dramatic secondary feature; a large, arched opening that enlivens the front of the building, forming a strong connection between its interior and exterior.
Arada Vice Chairman Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal said: “Il Teatro at Aljada represents an impressive new attraction for Sharjah and the wider UAE and adds significantly to the list of museums, galleries, entertainment venues and other cultural spaces for which Sharjah is already well-known.”
Il Teatro occupies a prime position within Aljada, situated on the main access road into the master community. It also sits at the centre of the Naseej creative district, a cluster of 19 buildings that also incorporates the Vida Aljada hotel and branded apartments complex, which will be operated by Emaar Hospitality.
Residents living in the creative district will be able to enjoy access to Il Teatro via two ‘green spines’ or urban parks that contain lush foliage and dense tree coverage, with workshops, artist studios and cafes facing the parks on both sides.
Il Teatro is the second of Tadao Ando’s projects in the UAE, following the Armani Beach Residences at Palm Jumeirah, also in partnership with Arada, which was announced earlier this year.
