Yes! Send me the FREE digital editions of Spa Business and Spa Business insider magazines and the FREE weekly Spa Business and Spa Business insider ezines and breaking news alerts!
Could the futuristic,
ultra-flexible architecture
of the Taipei Performing
Arts Center herald a shake up
in the design of performance
and exhibition spaces?
Magali Robathan takes a look
The Globe Playhouse was designed to resemble “a planet docking against the cube” / Shephotoerd Co. Photography, courtesy of OMA
The long-awaited Taipei Performing Arts Center in Taiwan has been completed.
Created by a team led by Rem Koolhaas and David Gianotten at OMA with local architect, Kris Yao, the 59,000sq m cultural centre has been designed as a highly flexible space suitable for the most experimental performances, and features “three theatres plugged into a central cube,” according to Gianotten. The theatres can be merged or modified, making them suitable for a whole host of different “unimagined and spontaneous forms.”
The general public can access a Public Loop, which runs through the theatre’s infrastructure production spaces – portal windows allow them to peek at performances and the technical spaces in between the theatres.
The spherical 800-seat Globe Playhouse, with an inner and an outer shell, “resembles a planet docking against the cube,” according to the architects. The intersection between the inner shell and the cube forms a unique proscenium for experimentation with stage framing.
The Grand Theater is a 1,500-seat theatre space for different performing arts genres. Opposite to it, on the same level, is the 840-seat Blue Box for the most experimental performances. When coupled, the two theatres become a Super Theater – a huge, factory-style space that can accommodate productions and events “otherwise only possible in found spaces”.
A new landscaped plaza beneath the theatre offers a further gathering space.
The centre is due to open to the public in August 2022 following a series of test performances.
Credit: OMA
"We wanted to contribute
to the history of the
theatre and we’re
interested to see how
this architecture will
extend what we
can do in theatres" – Rem Koolhaas
Credit: Fred Ernst
"We’re excited by how
the building constantly
generates new
relationships between
artists, spectators,
and the public" –
David Gianotten
"This building sits at
the centre of the
plebian life of Taipei.
Its informal,
unpretentious,
raw architecture
echoes the spirits of
how the citizens of
Taipei approach art" –
Kris Yao
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2022 issue 1
Editor's letter: Supersensory
With our growing insight into how to engage visitors’ more complex senses, it’s time for a new approach, says Magali Robathan
Immersive experiences: Joseph Wisne
Truly ambitious attractions providers need to push the boundaries of immersive design by engaging visitors’ senses of pain, danger, balance, justice and more, argues Roto’s CEO
Interview: Esther Dugdale
As the Burrell Collection relaunches and Eden Qingdao takes shape, Event’s creative director shares her tips for creating experiences that spark joy and curiosity
The arts: Room to grow
Could the space age, ultra flexible design of the new Taipei Performing Arts Center provide a model for future attractions spaces?
Museums: Ones to watch
From an AI museum built by robots to the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum, we take a look at some exciting 2022 openings
Research: All of history
As demand for growing honesty in relation to links to slavery and colonialism grows, should attractions be open about their history? Jon Young investigates
Opinion: Vince Kadlubek
Art engages and delights visitors. Kadlubek argues that attractions should embrace and support artists and look for shared initiatives
Waterparks: Waves of change
As The Wave inland surf lake announces plans to open six more sites, we go along for a surf and a sit down with CEO Craig Stoddart
Experience economy: Joe Pine
Experience platforms represent one of the biggest growth opportunities in today’s experience economy, argues Joe Pine. Here’s how to get them right
Interview: Cale Heit
With new themed coasters open at Motiongate Dubai and some intruiging projects underway, Forrec is making the most of the pent up demand for shared experiences. CEO Cale Heit tells us more
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Saskia Spa
Founded in 2014, Saskia Spa continues to evolve as a professional luxury skincare brand. It forms pa [more...]
Living Earth Crafts
For over 50 years, LEC has been manufacturing award-winning spa equipment for the world’s finest spas [more...]
Could the futuristic,
ultra-flexible architecture
of the Taipei Performing
Arts Center herald a shake up
in the design of performance
and exhibition spaces?
Magali Robathan takes a look
The Globe Playhouse was designed to resemble “a planet docking against the cube” / Shephotoerd Co. Photography, courtesy of OMA
The long-awaited Taipei Performing Arts Center in Taiwan has been completed.
Created by a team led by Rem Koolhaas and David Gianotten at OMA with local architect, Kris Yao, the 59,000sq m cultural centre has been designed as a highly flexible space suitable for the most experimental performances, and features “three theatres plugged into a central cube,” according to Gianotten. The theatres can be merged or modified, making them suitable for a whole host of different “unimagined and spontaneous forms.”
The general public can access a Public Loop, which runs through the theatre’s infrastructure production spaces – portal windows allow them to peek at performances and the technical spaces in between the theatres.
The spherical 800-seat Globe Playhouse, with an inner and an outer shell, “resembles a planet docking against the cube,” according to the architects. The intersection between the inner shell and the cube forms a unique proscenium for experimentation with stage framing.
The Grand Theater is a 1,500-seat theatre space for different performing arts genres. Opposite to it, on the same level, is the 840-seat Blue Box for the most experimental performances. When coupled, the two theatres become a Super Theater – a huge, factory-style space that can accommodate productions and events “otherwise only possible in found spaces”.
A new landscaped plaza beneath the theatre offers a further gathering space.
The centre is due to open to the public in August 2022 following a series of test performances.
Credit: OMA
"We wanted to contribute
to the history of the
theatre and we’re
interested to see how
this architecture will
extend what we
can do in theatres" – Rem Koolhaas
Credit: Fred Ernst
"We’re excited by how
the building constantly
generates new
relationships between
artists, spectators,
and the public" –
David Gianotten
"This building sits at
the centre of the
plebian life of Taipei.
Its informal,
unpretentious,
raw architecture
echoes the spirits of
how the citizens of
Taipei approach art" –
Kris Yao
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2022 issue 1
Editor's letter: Supersensory
With our growing insight into how to engage visitors’ more complex senses, it’s time for a new approach, says Magali Robathan
Immersive experiences: Joseph Wisne
Truly ambitious attractions providers need to push the boundaries of immersive design by engaging visitors’ senses of pain, danger, balance, justice and more, argues Roto’s CEO
Interview: Esther Dugdale
As the Burrell Collection relaunches and Eden Qingdao takes shape, Event’s creative director shares her tips for creating experiences that spark joy and curiosity
The arts: Room to grow
Could the space age, ultra flexible design of the new Taipei Performing Arts Center provide a model for future attractions spaces?
Museums: Ones to watch
From an AI museum built by robots to the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum, we take a look at some exciting 2022 openings
Research: All of history
As demand for growing honesty in relation to links to slavery and colonialism grows, should attractions be open about their history? Jon Young investigates
Opinion: Vince Kadlubek
Art engages and delights visitors. Kadlubek argues that attractions should embrace and support artists and look for shared initiatives
Waterparks: Waves of change
As The Wave inland surf lake announces plans to open six more sites, we go along for a surf and a sit down with CEO Craig Stoddart
Experience economy: Joe Pine
Experience platforms represent one of the biggest growth opportunities in today’s experience economy, argues Joe Pine. Here’s how to get them right
Interview: Cale Heit
With new themed coasters open at Motiongate Dubai and some intruiging projects underway, Forrec is making the most of the pent up demand for shared experiences. CEO Cale Heit tells us more
Global Wellness Day (GWD) will mark its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Saskia Spa Founded in 2014, Saskia Spa continues to evolve as a professional luxury skincare brand. It forms pa [more...]
