The architect for Il Teatro, a performing arts center in Aljada, Sharjah, UAE, was recently announced as Tadao Ando. The complex will cover an area of 260,000 square feet and will feature a 2,000-seat performance hall, along with a gallery space and a restaurant. Il Teatro will offer diverse programming, including opera, theater, dance, film, ballet, and concerts.
Aljada, a 2.2-square-kilometer mega-development site near the airport, universities, and the E311 motorway, is currently 30% complete, according to The National News. The biggest parts of the project, containing the mall and business district, have yet to be built. Construction of this massive mixed-use project was started in 2018.
“Il Teatro at Aljada will leave a lasting, intergenerational impact through its emphasis on culture and art. I have designed the central structure of the building to be round like the Earth as I wanted to create a new world inside it that will attract not only local people but visitors from around the globe,” said Tadao Ando.
HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, Vice Chairman of Arada, 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.” and added, “We’re extremely proud to be working with Tadao Ando, who has a long record of designing exceptional public spaces that enthrall and engage their visitors, and we look forward to working with him to bring his vision to life.”
“Tadao Ando’s style neatly incorporates a range of natural elements, including stone, concrete, light, and water, all of which combine to represent the beauty of simplicity. That approach has been captured in the design for Il Teatro and its surrounding plaza, which will act as a sociocultural meeting place for everyone,” said Elie Mrad, Chief Architectural Officer, Arada.
Ando’s second project in the UAE, Il Teatro, is set to be completed by 2027.
