Type: Detailed Design
Program: Opera House
Size: 32.000 m²
Location: Jeddah, SA
Year: 2024
My role:  Facade and Niches Design Development
Collaborators: Buro Happold, Nagata, dUCKS Sceno

This project was designed at Henning Larsen, Copenhagen


Located on the Red Sea waterfront, the opera is the heart of the new Opera Quarter, part of the wider Jeddah Central masterplan. The identity of the new quarter is driven by its relationship with the landscape. A spine with natural cover links the city to the sea creating a social space that promotes cultural encounters, house events, and becomes a destination for future generations. Designed for inclusive programming, the 150-seat Rehearsal Hall, the mid-scale 750-seat Playhouse theatre, and the 1500-seat opera Red Sea Theatre, are flexible performance spaces which will host world class touring theatres and orchestras, as well other commercial events and community education and outreach.

Inspired by the dense character of historic Al-Balad with its complex web of lanes, souqs, and Barahaats, the opera is nestled within its urban fabric. With geometric volumes inspired by Al-Balad, the opera will have a distinct appearance from different perspectives in the area.