|
Pei Partnership Architects’ “breathtaking” Dancing Water Theater in Macau—a light- and color-saturated show venue that also boasts the world’s largest commercial-sized pool on stage—is basking in the glow of two prestigious design awards.
 |
|
Pei Partnership Architects |
Built in 2010, The Dancing Water Theater, located in an entertainment resort called the City of Dreams, received both the 2011 Design for Asia Merit Recognition and the 2012 U.S. Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) Merit award.
The entertainment venue plays host to Franco Dragone’s latest spectacular water-based show, “The House of Dancing Water.” The show features breathtaking design and technical sophistication.
The circus-based, theater-in-the-round design allows for an up-close audience experience, the architecture firm said. The “intimate theater” seats approximately 1,961.
The theater is reported to feature the world’s largest commercial pool, at 160 feet in diameter and 26 feet deep; the pool holds approximately 3.7 million gallons of water, Pei Architects said.
 |
|
City of Dreams |
“Only about 45% of the pool’s diameter is visible to the audience. The remainder is used as underwater wing space for scenery storage and artist entrances. Eleven elevators, eight of which weigh ten tons each, transform the performance area from aquatic stage into a dry, solid floor in less than one minute, to create a 75-foot diameter stage,” the firm said.
Those seated in the first few rows of the theater are provided towels upon arrival, the firm noted.
Design for Asia Recognition
The annual Design for Asia Awards pay tribute to “high quality design achievements that have a significant impact on Asian lifestyle, culture and the arts.”
The Dancing Water Theater has “not only bolstered the reputation of this world-class production, but has reinforced City of Dreams’ standing as the region’s premiere integrated entertainment resort,” the firm said.
 |
|
Pei Partnership Architects |
The resort was developed by Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd., and features contemporary hotels, restaurants, theaters, casinos, and nightclubs.
USITT Award
Created in 1994, the annual USITT’s Architecture Award recognizes architects for superior design work and provides resource material for USITT members on contemporary theater design.
 |
|
Pei Partnership Architects |
The awards are evaluated by a panel of distinguished jurors for creative image, contextual resonance, community contribution, explorations in new technologies, and functional operations.
The projects recognized include new construction, renovations and repurposing of existing structures, the association’s website said.
In 2011, Elkus Manfredi Architects was honored with a Merit Award for The Paramount Center at Emerson College in Boston, Mass. Durability + Design featured the decorative painting schemes and ornamental plaster restoration and fabrication of the Paramount in Now Playing Boston: Faded Art Deco Star’s Remarkable Renaissance.
 |
|
Pei Partnership Architects |
Pei Partnership Architects was presented with the 2012 award at the association’s 52nd annual conference and stage expo held March 28-31 in Long Beach, Calif.
“The House of Dancing Water” premiered in the Dancing Water Theater on Sept. 17, 2010, and has thrilled more than 1 million spectators, the firm said.
More information: House of Dancing Water.
|
Follow us on Twitter
Join us on Facebook
