New photos have been released of the recently completed Tapei Performing Arts Center by OMA.

Now a part of the capital city’s Shilin Night Market, the new Center houses two 800-seat theaters and a larger 1,500-seat venue in addition to support areas all connected by a centralizing cube-like form that OMA founder Rem Koolhaas thinks will free both patron and performer from a stultifying industry-wide trend. 

“Theater has a very long tradition. We have seen contemporary performance theaters increasingly becoming standardized, with conservative internal operation principles. We want to contribute to the history of the theater,” Koolhaas explained in a statement. “Here in Taipei, we were able to combine three auditoria in a particular way. We are interested to see how this architecture will have an impact in terms of extending what we can do in theater.”

Photos reveal the cubic form lifted above a landscaped plaza area connected to a feature called the Public Loop, which weaves through all three theaters and their backstage areas to offer views one would be hard put to find in more staid theater communities like London or Moscow. The configuration is noticeably lacking a pronounced front and back typical in more traditional theater designs.

Collaborating architect Kris Yao explains: “This new building not only presents itself to the world as a brand new and unique configuration of theater complexes, it also sits perfectly in its location — right at the center where the plebian life of Taipei happens. Its informal, unpretentious, and raw architecture spaces echo the spirits of how citizens of Taipei approach art.” 

The new theater officially opens its doors to the public in August. Check out more photos and a video of OMA's latest cultural project below.