Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts

The streamlined exterior mimicking the sound waves and the free-styled curves of white-colored waves slide towards the ground with their smooth curvatures and cleverly blend in with their surroundings. Dutch architect Francine Houben designed the Center based on her inspiration of the old banyan tree groves at Weiwuying. Being more than a century old, the banyan tree groves have their roots twisted and intertwined. The simultaneously virtual and realistic image sparked the architect’s imagination to present Weiwuying with its transparent and breathing rhythm. The whole architecture allows visitors to unobstructedly enter the venue from all directions. And the spacious and translucent area that extends from the theater’s rooftop is a banyan tree plaza that opens to the public 24 hours a day. Visitors are able to pass by freely, move about, or simply relax in this space. It’s a fenceless art center that does not only enhance air flow but also creates a boundaryless space between theater and everyday life. Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts officially opened on October 13th, 2018 and is meant for promoting active development of performing arts environment in Southern Taiwan and becoming a critical base for connecting to the international art scene.