Cracking an Egg

Posted by Gingerblossom at 9:43 AM

Wednesday, August 20, 2008


I decided to revert to tourist status today and braved the throngs of Olympic period tourists to visit the National centre for the Performing Arts aka national grand theatre aka The Egg. It's really an architectural marvel.. well at least to my undiscerning eye. From the outside, it was simply a giant glass and chrome dome surrounded by a shallow pond. From inside, you truly appreciate the thought that went into designing this theatre. My 30rmb entry ticket only allowed me into the corridors along the concert halls but there were sufficient sights to take my breathe away.. for a couple of seconds lah!

1. The water ceiling walkway
On the surface level of the theatre, this looked like a pond. From below, you'll realise that it's cunningly built with glass panels to allow maximum amount of natural light into the basement levels of the theatre, while using the flowing motion of water above as a design element. This walkway leads you into the main theatre venue and as you walk through, you feel a certain calm and lightness of being ( you'll need to be an expert in blocking out the loud bellows from the local folks to experience this!)


2. Inside the egg itself
It was all glass and metal and some parts paneled with wood. Light streamed into this massive structure thanks to the huge amount of glass used in the design. I have no words or it. Just plenty of pictures. And a wise man once said "a picture paints a thousand words"

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