Dome

Raking view of the building from the southwest showing drop off drive for cars and entrance to the underground parking garage; The Shanghai Grand Theatre is located in the northern part of the People's Square in Huangpu District, Shanghai. The building was designed by French architect Jean-Marie Charpentier. Interior design was by Studios Architecture. It was opened in 1998. The modern building evokes Chinese tradition in the square base (earth) and the upturned arc of the roof (sky). The glass facade is suspended by steel cables to allow maximum transparency. It hosts Western repertoire theater, symphony and dance. The building's large terraced roof was constructed with a steel structure weighing 6,500 tons, put together at the construction site. The main façades form a clear glass box that allows people on the street to view the spaces the audience go through to reach the foyers, restaurants, and boutiques arranged around the central 1,800 seat auditorium with its 3,700 square meter stage. There are also two basement floors with a parking garage. Source: Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page (accessed 7/31/2012)