A Dubai l’Opera House è flessibile e trasformista
In Dubai a Flexible and Transformable Opera House
Shaped like a dhow, a traditional Arab sailing vessel, the new Dubai Opera House opened this past August in the Opera District of the Middle Eastern city is a contemporary tribute to the maritime lifestyle and history of the place. Designed by the architect Janus Rostock (of the international firm Atkins) it has an exceptional degree of flexibility so that it can be converted into a theatre, suitable for large productions (musicals, ballets, conferences and conventions with room for over 2,000 people depending on the configuration), but it can also transform into a concert hall (with a series of towers and sound reflectors designed to create an impeccable acoustic shell around the orchestra). Even the floor can be converted to make it “flat” so that art exhibitions or fashion shows can be held. On the rooftop, a restaurant and a garden with a view of The Dubai Fountain and the Burj Khalifa. The first edition of Design City is on stage from 1 to 9 October in three principal Milanese spaces (left). The objective is to reflect on topics that range from training to graphics, from the product to communication, from publishing to new technologies. More than the Fuorisalone, the inspiration comes from Book City and Piano City, milanese festivals recently developed to offer an overview of publishing and music. A call launched by Studiolabo under the auspices of the Municipality and with support from Abitare was able to elicit proposals (the complete programme can be downloaded at www.designcitymilano.it), amongst which Brera Design Days, a marathon of talks that will be held at the Mediateca Santa Teresa (1-2 October).